Semenya Barred from Competition

South African athlete Caster Semenya, who was at the center of an international debate on gender testing in sports last summer, will not be able to compete in her country's upcoming athletics season.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee made the announcement last week due to the ongoing investigation by the International Association of Athletics Federations, according to CNN.

Gideon Sam, president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, issued a statement Friday saying she would be ineligible for competition until the investigation is over.

"The matter over the results of her gender test are still sitting with the international parent association, the IAAF," he said in the statement. "They are still conducting their work and the process is ongoing. And we have to respect the privacy of the athlete, so any 'confirmation' is premature."

The IAAF ordered the tests shortly after Semenya's win in Berlin in the 800-meter final due to her rapid improvement over the past year and muscular build.