South Africa's athletics body Thursday apologised to 800-metre champion Caster Semenya, her parents and the nation about its role in the handling of the athlete's gender row.

"Athletics South Africa (ASA) wishes to publicly and unconditionally apologise to Caster Semenya and her family, the president of South Africa as well as to all South Africans for the handling of her gender verification processes and the subsequent aftermath," said the body in a statement.

The apology came after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) conducted an investigation that found ASA "were less than honest and very defensive and did not disclose their role in the process in sanctioning the gender verification tests conducted in South Africa".

The investigating team urged ASA to come clean about its role in the saga.

The Athletics body also said a delegation will meet with Semenya, her family and government to discuss the matter and hoped the "this will bring closure to a very unpleasant episode for Caster".

ASA boss Leonard Chuene initially denied any knowledge of the gender tests, but later admitted that he knew about them and ignored advice to withdraw Semenya from competing in the world championships in August.

Tests into Semenya's sex were announced by the IAAF shortly before the athlete won a gold medal in the 800m race - thrusting her into the global spotlight.

Leaked IAAF test results showed that Semenya is a hermaphrodite, causing widespread anger from the South African public and government.