According to the UK's Guardian, South African runner Caster Semenya has now gone into hiding and is receiving "trauma counseling" after the results of her gender testing were announced publicly last week. Australian media claimed that they were leaked the results of her gender tests, which were said to reveal that she is a hermaphrodite.

Semenya, 18, won the women's 800-meters at the World Championships in Berlin on August 19. However, her deep voice and masculine build sparked concerns over her gender. Test results did show that her testosterone levels exceeded the average for a woman, but further testing was needed to determine her gender.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph said that the tests conducted showed that the world champ has a chromosomal abnormality which means that she is without a womb and ovaries, but has internal testes that produce the male hormone testosterone.

Semenya withdrew from competition on Saturday. She was supposed to compete in a 4km cross country race in Pretoria. Athletics South Africa spokeswoman Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholesane confirmed that Semenya was receiving counselling, but denied reports that she is suicidal. The spokeswoman said:

"She has not mentioned suicide. She is an extremely strong and determined young woman. But the past few days have been extremely difficult.''

Athletics officials from South Africa met over the weekend to discuss the controversy. International athletics officials said that they would not make the test results or their verdict known until late November, but have said that she is unlikely to be stripped of her medal.

Mlangeni-Tsholsane added that Semenya has cancelled all engagements and interviews, and said that:

"She is receiving trauma counselling. Every day she meets with psychologists who are trying to help her through what is happening around her. We are concerned for her wellbeing.''