Caster goes for a makeover

Submitted by ATAF Editor on 8 September 2009 - 5:12pm

If you have not seen this yet, then you must see the recently-minted World 800m champion, Caster Semenya as you’ve never seen her before.

Semenya appeared on the cover of South Africa's biggest-selling English-language magazine, YOU magazine, complete with makeup, a new hairdo, a sequined top and painted nails.

In the lead article titled 'Wow, Look at Caster Now', Caster says, "God made me the way I am and I accept myself. I am who I am and I'm proud of myself." and “I'd like to dress up more often and wear dresses but I never get the chance. I'd also like to learn to do my own make-up”

But while some people, and Caster herself, seem to like her stunning look, not everyone is happy to see her smiling though.

UK Times Online columnist Owen Slot is busy worrying himself silly about why the makeover was done now, saying it serves to reignite the whole controversy.  

Mr Slot says he "feels deeply uncomfortable about these pictures" especially now that "team of scientists are simultaneously drawing conclusions that may not agree with it. It is indecently hasty when she could easily have waited until the science had been completed."

Now, what controversy are you on about Mr Slot? Please get a life.

It's bad enough that grown-ups tricked a poor young girl from a rural background into the laboratory under the guise of conducting a routine doping test, instead took samples and initiated gender testing procedures on her with the knowledge of her parents or her Athletics Federation. It's a shame on all concerned.

Whatever happens with the testing, Semenya will keep her medal because she was created that way by God, despite all the nonsense spewed out about redistribution of medals by the IAAF Secretary Pierre Weiss at the winners press conference in Berlin last month.

Semenya won gold in the women's 800m finals in Berlin in a world leading time of 1:55.45.