A series of "smoking gun" emails are believed to be behind athletics boss Leonard Chuene's bid to distance himself from the doctor who allegedly oversaw sex testing on athlete Caster Semenya. 

The emails contain formal communication between the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and South Africa's team doctor, Harold Adams, dating from early in August. 

And they could prove devastating to Athletics South Africa head Chuene's claims that they were in the dark about the IAAF sex tests, which he said she was duped into undergoing in Berlin. 

Adams, who advised ASA that Semenya should not take to the track in Berlin, has yet to break his silence on his role in the debacle - which could be damaging to his career and status as one of President Jacob Zuma's doctors.

It is, however, understood Adams contacted the office of IAAF president Lamine Diack at the weekend. 

Meanwhile, Chuene has done everything he can to downplay Adams's involvement with ASA.