Raymond Kilfoil - Sport24

Cape Town -  South Africa's Caster Semenya has been withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games, according to a source in Delhi, India.

Sport24's source revealed that Semenya, 19, had been withrawn due to a lingering back injury.

It is understood that Caster Semenya underwent an MRI scan which confirmed her back problem.

The results of the scan prompted the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and Athletics South Africa (ASA) to withdraw the 800m world champion from the Commonwealth Games.

It is believed that SASCOC and ASA felt it in Semenya's interest not to compromise her health by risking her competing.

Many top athletes have decided to skip the troubled Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, citing fatigue, injury, security fears, or other reasons.

List of major names who are eligible, but have pulled out:

Usain Bolt (JAM) - 100m and 200m world record holder.
Asafa Powell (JAM) - defending Commonwealth 100m champion
Paula Radcliffe (ENG) - marathon world record holder
Jessica Ennis (ENG) - world and European heptathlon champion
Christine Ohuruogu (ENG) - Olympic 400m gold medallist
Phillips Idowu (ENG) - world triple jump champion
Dani Samuels (AUS) - world discus champion
David Rudisha (KEN) - 800m world record holder
Asbel Kiprop (KEN) - Olympic 1500m champion
Linet Masai (KEN) - world 10,000m champion
Shelly-Ann Fraser (JAM) - Olympic 100m champion
Chris Hoy (SCO) - multiple world and Olympic cycling champion
Victoria Pendleton (ENG) - world and Olympic cycling champion
Stephanie Rice (AUS) - triple Olympic gold medal swimmer
Andy Murray (SCO) - tennis player
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) - tennis player
Samantha Stosur (AUS) - tennis player
Beth Tweddle (ENG) - world champion gymnast
Caster Semenya (RSA) - world 800m champion
Elena Baltacha (SCO) - tennis player
Greg Henderson (NZL) - 2002 Games cycling gold medallist
Kobie McGurk (AUS) - field hockey player
Geraint Thomas (WAL) - Olympic team pursuit gold medallist