Johannesburg - Athlete Caster Semenya was ready to write her first-year university examinations despite controversy surrounding her gender, the Sowetan reported on Friday.

Semenya has been under immense pressure since her gender was questioned after she won the 800m World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany in August.

She told the Sowetan she was ready for the exams which start next week.

Semenya, who is studying sports science at the University of Pretoria, also responded to a story published in Beeld on Thursday that she had told the university she was unable to write the exams.

"I've no idea what you are talking about man. Maybe you should ask the person who was quoted," she said.

"I have been studying hard and I am ready for my exams."

"I do not want to speak about what is happening in my life but I can assure you that I'm fine."

Her father Jacob Semenya was also upset.

"I am tired of these ugly reports about my child. I speak to her every day and she never mentioned she was not writing her exams," he was quoted as saying.

The International Association of Athletics Federations ordered gender tests on 18-year-old Semenya after the Berlin event, but has refused to comment on reports that it showed she was a hermaphrodite.
   
Several organisations have called for the axing of Leonard Chuene -- the head of Athletics SA -- for the manner in which the saga was handled.