Caster Semenya qualifies for debut Olympics

Former 800 metres world champion Caster Semenya has qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in her career.

The 21-year-old South African secured her appearance at the this summer's London Olympics with a run of 59.58 seconds in her home city of Pretoria.

"It's a weight off my shoulders and I'm very happy with my time," she said.

"I possibly can go quicker, tonight was just my third race of the season."

Semenya hit the headlines in 2009 when she was crowned world champion before being controversially suspended for 11 months while drawn-out tests were undertaken to clarify her gender.