MONACO (AP)

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said yesterday it is still working behind the scenes with Caster Semenya and the South African government to resolve issues about the 18-year-old runner's gender and future career.

The governing body of track said it cannot confirm the South African sports ministry's claims of a deal allowing Semenya to keep the 800-metre world title and prize money she won in August, and maintain privacy over her gender test results.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said the parties are "almost there" in concluding complex negotiations.

"It is premature to discuss the contents of what (the South African government) said until we're ready to say, yes, that we totally agree with it," Davies said. "This is being handled carefully at one level politically, but also in the medical-scientific realm.

"Obviously we are working flat-out quietly behind the scenes to resolve it. Fingers crossed, we will be able to get there very quickly."

The circumstances under which Semenya could resume her track career remain unclear.

Davies said questions would not be resolved during a two-day meeting of the IAAF's ruling council which began yesterday in Monaco.

The council did agree to launch an investigation into recent "behaviour and actions" of the Athletics South Africa national federation's leadership.

The IAAF had been expected to confirm test results during the sessions, but said Wednesday the subject was off the agenda while medical testing would continue.

"These people are being trusted to continue their work, and they were congratulated for the work they've been doing because it hasn't been at all easy," Davies said in a break from council meetings.