Rumours that gold medallist Caster Semenya is not a woman are wrong and ill-spirited, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

Briefing journalists in Pretoria after meeting "golden girl" Semenya and her fellow medal-winning athletes Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and Khotso Mokoena, Zuma said Semenya showcased women's achievements, power and strength.

"Miss Semenya had also reminded the world of the importance of the right to human dignity and privacy which should be enjoyed by all human beings," he said.

In recognition of the supremacy of these rights, the government wished to register its displeasure at the manner in which Semenya was treated.

Zuma said Sport and Recreation Minister Makhenkesi Stofile had written to the International Association of Athletics Federations, which decided that Semenya should undergo gender testing.

He said the Ministry would follow up on the matter.

"It is one thing to seek to ascertain whether or not an athlete has an unfair advantage over others, but it is another to publicly humiliate an honest, professional and competent athlete," he said, extending his support to Semenya and her family.

"Continue to walk tall mokgadi, we are proud of you, we love you. These events should not distract us from celebrating your outstanding achievements on the track."

Zuma said the rumours about her being a man were "wrong" and dampened the spirit of young people.

"It was started deliberately to cause a kind of confusion and dampen the spirits of the country unnecessarily," he said.

When asked about reports that the rumour emanated from South Africa, Zuma said: "If it did, those South Africans are really not demonstrating their patriotism to a serious degree."

He also thanked president of Athletics South Africa, Leonard Chuene for fighting for Semenya and giving her the support she needed.

"You are really fighting like a South African. We [South Africans] are unique, we fight when the right is presented to us."

Earlier Chuene told a press conference at OR Tambo that he was not going to allow "Europeans to describe and define our children".

Zuma applauded all the athletes who represented South Africa at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, saying their spirit and dedication had become characteristic of the people of the country.

"Aspiring athletes will look to them for inspiration and encouragement. They have demonstrated that dreams can come true, but only if a person is prepared to put in effort, remain steadfast and confront even the most difficult challenges."

He said Semenya, Mulaudzi and Mokoena had come from humble beginnings and very little resources, but had refused to let poverty stop them from achieving their goals.

He again threw the spotlight on Semenya, saying she was South Africa's golden girl who had made women's month more remarkable.

Semenya, who kept her eyes fixed on the floor for most of Zuma's address, looked in her father Jacob's direction and smiled slightly when Zuma thanked him.

"Thank you very much for bringing us a star."

He also had a few words for the country's youth, saying the athletes had paved the way for them to also achieve their dreams.

"It is better to do things for your country, for yourself, than to remain in taverns. Don't touch those things," he said to laughter.