MONACO - World athletics' governing body, the IAAF, held their silence over South Africa's gender row 800m world champion Caster Semenya during the first day of their annual congress here on Friday.

The IAAF refused to be drawn on statements made by South African Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile on Thursday that Semenya could compete again in women's athletics.

"In my view Caster Semenya's future is in her hands. She can decide to run as a girl, which she is," Stofile said.

But the IAAF maintained a diplomatic silence after an accord brokered with Semenya's lawyers and the South African government that said all had reached "total agreement" on her title won at the Berlin championships in August.

The parties also agreed that scientific tests into her gender will remain confidential, but their statement gave no clear details on the runner's competitive future.

On Wednesday however, the IAAF said that gender testing was not yet complete for the athlete, a first-year sports science student who grew up in a rural village in northern South Africa.

Semenya's rapid speed gains this year prompted questions about the gender of the runner, who has a deep voice and a muscular physique.

Leaked test results said Semenya was a hermaphrodite, sparking anger from the South African public and government, who have rallied behind the athlete.