The South African runner at the center of a gender controversy has adopted a new look.

Caster Semanya has appeared on the cover of South Africa’s You Magazine with a complete makeover designed to silence critics who insists the 18-year-old athlete is really a man, Jezebel has learned. After coming in first in last month’s world track championships, Semenya was famously subjected to a battery of gender tests to pinpoint her sexuality once and for all.

The jury’s still out on those. In the meantime, the teen’s management team is hastily trying to sell the public on Caster’s femininity — hence the makeover.

For the shoot, Caster swapped her signature cornrows for crimped wave inspired do. A designer black dress and jewelry replace her sweats. She even experimented with makeup and nail polish.

“I’d like to dress up more often and wear dresses but I never get the chance. I am who I am and I’m proud of myself,” Caster told the mag.

It’s heartbreaking that this young women has to be subjected to this kind of treatment just because she doesn’t fit into some silly stereotype dictating what women are supposed to look like. We can’t all be Eva Longoria and gender isn’t always as clear cut as we would think. Can you imagine how humiliated she must feel?

Written by Castina on September 8th, 2009 | Tagged as: Popular Culture