Caster Semenya named in SA Commonwealth Games squad

Commonwealth Games 2010, Delhi
Dates: 3-14 October Coverage: Watch live each day on BBC TV, Red Button and BBC Sport website (UK only); Listen on 5 live sports extra

Semenya enjoying return despite critics

Women's world 800m champion Caster Semenya has been included in South Africa's Commonwealth Games squad.

The 19-year-old returned to competition in July after 11 months out following a series of gender tests, winning all three of her comeback races.

"It's good to hear her say that she's focusing all her efforts on the Commonwealth Games," said South African Olympic chief Gideon Sam.

The Games take place in the Indian capital New Delhi from 3-14 October.

Semenya was stood down from competition after tests performed before her 2009 World Championship win revealed unusually high levels of testosterone.

Semenya wins gold at World Championships in Berlin

She missed the African Championships at the end of July but returned to competition in Europe last month, winning races in Finland and then Germany.

She won the 800m in Berlin on Sunday in a time of one minute 59.90 seconds and although that time was some way off the one minute 55.45secs she ran to win the world championships last year, Semanya remains favourite to win gold in India.

"The fact she's unbeaten in her three races thus far and has improved her time on each occasion is good news for our medal effort in New Delhi," added Sam.

But there is no place in the squad for Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, who was hoping to compete in the 400m.

The 23-year-old had been set a time of 45.95 seconds to qualify but could only manage a lifetime best of 46.02 seconds in Italy last month - just 0.07 seconds short of the qualifying standards