Despite high male hormone levels, controversial athlete Caster Semenya is a woman: ASA

London, Aug. 29 (ANI): Star athlete Caster Semenya, who is in midst of a gender row, might have higher than average male hormone levels - but is within the official limits for a woman, Athletics South Africa has said.

"Caster Semenya was tested three years ago when she started competing and it was found that she is a woman. She may have rather high levels of male hormones, but she is definitely a woman," The Sun quoted, an ASA insider, as saying.

Doubts about the muscular 18-year-old's gender surfaced last week when she won gold in the women's 800m at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

Doctors are conducting detailed gender probes on the orders of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

But bosses at Athletics South Africa - the star's home nation - insist urine tests have already proved she is a female.

Reports have suggested Semenya's body could contain up to three times the normal amount of testosterone for a woman.

But ASA anti-doping chairman Chris Hattingh said such theories had already been discounted after officials in South Africa subjected her to their series of urine tests. (ANI)