World 800 metres champion Caster Semenya has been left out of a preliminary South Africa squad to compete at the African Athletics Championships in Nairobi, Kenya in July despite having qualified since last year.
The 19-year-old, who underwent tests to determine her gender, has not raced since winning gold at last summer's World Championships in Berlin, but re-affirmed her intention to return to competitive action at an EAA meeting in Zaragoza, Spain on June 24.
Semenya may yet be denied the opportunity to run in Spain depending on the results of her tests, which were first expected in November, before the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced last month that the case had still not been concluded.
However, her lawyers are optimistic she would not be hindered from making her comeback a month prior to the bi-annual continental event due to be held in Nairobi between July 28 and August 1.
But, a 57-member team list announced today by the Athletics South Africa (ASA) did not include Semenya's name.
Richard Stander, ASA assistant administrator, told the media the list was not final and Semenya was not the only one affected as there are many other athletes not included now due to injury concerns and various other reasons.
Stander insisted that athletes that have been named will still have to prove themselves during a six-week window period prior to the final squad deadline on July 6.
"The criteria is very clear, the athletes that have performed in the last couple of months, the selectors have put them onto the squad," he said.
Stander also said athletes invited to compete on the European circuit would have a chance to prove themselves, under the guidance of former Olympic 800m silver medallist Hezekiel Sepeng, while those who are not invited to compete overseas will be given a chance to compete in South Africa.
"If the athletes had already qualified earlier in the season, then it will then be up to the selectors to decide if they are in good enough shape to represent South Africa.
"The results of this qualifying criteria will show immediately and I have no doubt that our performances will improve substantially at this year‘s African Championships and Commonwealth Games," he added.
SA Provisional Squad:
Men:
- Simon Magakwe (100m/200m)
- Leigh Julius (100m)
- Hannes Dreyer (100m)
- Wilhelm van der Vyver (200m)
- Thuso Mpuang (200m)
- Ofentse Mogawane (400m)
- Sibusiso Sishi (400m)
- Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (800m)
- Juan van Deventer (1,500m)
- Pharson Magagane (1,500m)
- Elroy Gelant (5,000m)
- Tshamano Setone (5,000m)
- Stephen Mokoka (5,000m/10,000m)
- Gladwin Mzazi (10,000m)
- Lungisa Mdedelwa (10,000m)
- Hendrik Ramaala (marathon)
- Ruben Ramolefi (3,000m Sc)
- Edwin Molepo (3,000m St)
- Andre Storm (110m hurdles)
- Cornel Fredericks (400m hurdles)
- Wouter Le Roux (400m hurdles)
- LJ van Zyl (400m hurdles)
- Sors Joubert (decathlon)
- Cheyne Rahme (pole vault)
- Ruaan van Wyk (pole vault)
- Khotso Mokoena (long jump)
- Keenan Watson (long jump)
- Luvo Manyionga (long jump)
- Thumelo Thagane (triple Jump)
- Roelie Potgieter (shot put)
- Burger Lambrechts (shot put)
- Orazio Cremona (shot put)
- Victor Hogan (discus throw)
- Chris Harmse (hammer throw)
- Hardus Pienaar (javelin)
- Ulrich Damon (javelin)
- Tobie Hothouse (javelin)
Women:
- Cindy Stewart (100m/200m)
- Estie Wittstock (400m)
- Mapaseka Makhanya (800m)
- Lebogang Phalula (800m)
- Lebo Phalula (1,500m/5000m)
- Rene Kalmer (1,500m/5 000m)
- Tebogo Masehla (3,000m St)
- Myrette Filmalter (3,000m St)
- Wenda Theron (400m hurdles)
- Janet Wienand (heptathlon)
- Marcoleen Pretorius (high jump)
- Deone Joubert (pole vault)
- Honorata Saar (pole vault)
- Janice Josephs (long jump)
- Patience Ntshingila (triple jump)
- Elizna Naude (discus)
- Annemie Smith (hammer throw)
- Sunette Viljoen (javelin)
- Justine Robbeson (javelin)
- Tazmin Brits (javelin)