The International Association of Athletics Federations insist no deal has been struck allowing Caster Semenya to keep her World Championships 800 metres gold medal.

Semenya emerged from obscurity this summer and was at the centre of huge controversy at the championships in Berlin when it was revealed the IAAF had ordered her to take a gender test.

And an IAAF spokesman has contested the contents of a statement issued by South Africa's Department of Sport and Recreation yesterday.

The department claimed the South African government, the IAAF and Semenya's lawyers had agreed during their deliberations to the 18-year-old retaining her title and prize money.But the IAAF say a decision over Semenya's future career as a woman athlete has still to be reached.

"We are working towards a resolution but the case is not closed for us," the spokesman said.