London, Nov. 6 The row over controversial runner Caster Semenya has taken another turn after the president and board of Athletics South Africa (ASA) were suspended.

The country's Olympic governing body took the decision in connection with how the athlete's gender verification tests were handled by ASA.

The organization has admitted wrongdoing and offered the 18-year-old runner an unconditional apology.

It has emerged ASA was aware that the governing body of world athletics (IAAF) carried out gender tests on her before she was allowed to compete at the World Championships in August

ASA had previously denied any knowledge of a test prior to the 800 metres event in Germany, which Semenya easily won.

The group's president Leonard Chuene admitted lying about the tests, saying he had wanted to protect the athlete's privacy.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) said Chuene and the ASA board would be "suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation and further action".(ANI)