CASTER GETS A MAKEOVER

South Africa's controversial runner, Caster Semenya, has gotten a girly makeover thanks to You magazine.

Semenya came to international prominence after winning gold in the 800 metres at the recent Berlin World Championships. This was in the wake of news that the International Association of Athletics Federations would test her to asses if she was really a woman.

Now, the fleet-footed athlete with a masculine appearance has posed for pictures that show her in a more traditionally feminine light in the latest issue of the popular gossip magazine.

In the accompanying interview, titled "Exclusive: We turn SA's power girl into a glamour girl – and she loves it!", Semenya said: "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 makeup."

Commenting on the speculation about her sex and gender, she said: "I see it all as a joke, it doesn't upset me. God made me the way I am and I accept myself. I am who I am and I'm proud of myself."

While the results of her sex tests have yet to be released, it's been claimed that the 18 year old was asked to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Subsequent reports say, however, that the appearance was canned after Athletics South Africa demanded that Semenya be paid.