Caster Semenya, an incredibly fast runner from South Africa, made headlines last August when she beat the world record in the 800 meter dash at the World Championships in Berlin. But the headlines weren’t just for her record run, they were also in regards to questions about her eligibility. Since Semenya not only had an irregularly deep voice, but also a surprisingly muscular build as well as a testosterone level three times greater than a normal woman, some officials had questioned her sex. That is, they weren’t sure if she was female or not.
Looking to beat back the rumors, the 18-year-old runner recently posed for You Magazine, a popular magazine in South Africa, showing off her feminine side. Trading her pants for a dress, cornrows for a crimped wave and her normal spandex outfit for heals, makeup and jewelry, it was hard to deny, she looked much better. And she felt better too, saying, “I’d like to dress up more often and wear dresses, but I never get the chance.” She went on to say, “I’d also like to learn to do my own make-up.”
What do you think?
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Comments
Kim
September 11th, 2009 - 12:30:18 PM
So she's a hermaphrodite, so what? She looks good, plus it's all natural, no steroids or anything, so I don't see what the problem is. She wasn't cheating, after all, it's just the way she was born. Anyone saying otherwise is simply prejudiced.
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Ann Wagner
September 12th, 2009 - 2:33:34 PM
Larger muscle mass, three times the normal level of testosterone, larger lung capacity, no cramping, no monthly menses with all the mess, inconvenience that comes with it equal UNFAIR ADVANTAGE keeping against biologically "normal" females who don't have those characteristics. Create another category called "Mixed" or "Intersex" for those who fall outside a binary gender classification of xx and xy chromosomes.
2
carolita johnson
September 12th, 2009 - 8:59:21 PM
I don't think it's right to say she looks "better" as if she didn't look good before -- I think she looked great before! She looked strong and proud, and natural before. I think she looks beautiful either way. Her smile is confident, and she obviously is having fun in another role. But she doesn't have to slather on makeup and wear jewelry for any person with a brain and a heart to see her beauty. And hey, I don't see why anyone has to compete only against their own sex anyway. If you're good, you're good. If you're smart, you're smart. And if you're a fast human being, you're a fast human being.
3