Gold winner welcomed home as First Lady of sport

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Friends, family and former First Lady Winnie Madikizela-Mandela were among about 1,000 gathered at Johannesburg International airport to greet the women's 800m world champion.

Hundreds packed the arrival hall for a glimpse of the tracksuited 18-year-old and her gold medal. They sang and waved placards proclaiming her "1st Lady of Sport" and "Simply the Best". Semenya, who barely celebrated last week in Berlin after cruising to victory, delighted by breaking into the traditional dance, or tambo.

Outrage has built up in South Africa since the star's sex was questioned. International athletics chiefs have ordered tests, suspicions raised by a deep voice, muscular frame and prominent jawline.

Mrs Madikizela-Mandela said she spoke for affronted millions as she told "the whole world how proud we are of our little girl".