South Africa's Semenya asks for exam break

South African runner at center of gender controversy asks to put off university final exams

(AP)  JOHANNESBURG (AP) - A South African newspaper reports a champion runner at the center of a gender controversy has asked to put off university final exams.

Caster Semenya's coach, Michael Seme, was quoted in Beeld newspaper saying he suspected the trauma of the controversy was just hitting Semenya and led her to make the request to officials at the University of Pretoria, where she is studying sports science. Seme says the university told her she could take her tests when she is ready.

University students across South Africa are taking exams in coming weeks.

Semenya won the 800 meters at the Berlin world championships in August. Before the final, the IAAF announced it had ordered gender tests and it is still waiting for the experts' verdict on whether she can continue competing as a woman.