Johannesburg – Olympic silver medalist Caster Semenya has 11 days to clock a two-minute 800 metres or miss the world championships.
The South African won a midweek race in Finland in a pedestrian 2:06.58 as she returned to the track for the first time since the London Games last year.
But Semenya needs a 2:00.00 or better 800m by July 29 to qualify for the biennial world championships in Russia during August.
She shot to international fame by winning the world title in Berlin four years ago and triggering a gender storm that led to a temporary ban.
Semenya finished second in the same event when South Korean city Daegu staged the 2011 championships.
Her long post-Olympics lay-off was caused by rehabilitation designed to correct an imbalance in her leg strength.
The 22-year-old from a northern South Africa village has battled with the problem since childhood surgery.
South African athletics supporters hope Semenya makes it to Moscow as she is considered the best medal bet. – Sapa-AFP