South Africa chief keeps his job

Athletics South Africa, ASA, chief Leonard Chuene will keep his job despite calls for him to be fired for lying about Caster Semenya undergoing gender tests.



Chuene first denied knowing that tests were carried out on the runner in South Africa before her 800-metre world title win but later admitted he had known.



He then expressed outrage when governing body the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ordered its own tests after the Berlin championships.



But the ASA council has backed the under-fire Chuene.



After meeting for several hours today, the council released a brief statement saying it unanimously expressed confidence in the current ASA leadership.



For days, politicians, newspaper editorials and other sports bodies have called for Chuene to be fired.



The International Association of Athletics Federations has refused to confirm or deny Australian media reports that Semenya has both male and female characteristics, saying it is reviewing test results and will issue a decision in November.