Caster Semenya (born January 7, 1991) is a middle-distance runner from South Africa. After Semenya vastly improved her running times in the 800 and 1,500 meter races at the African Junior Championships in July 2009, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) requested she undergo gender verification testing to prove she is a woman. Semenya's coach, Michael Seme told the U.K.'s Daily Mail: "We understand that people will ask questions because she looks like a man. It's a natural reaction and it's only human to be curious." But he maintains that she has "nothing to hide."

On September 8, 2009, Caster appeared on the cover of You Magazine under the headline "Look at me Now," after having undergone a complete makeover.http://www.examiner.com/x-15728-Boston-Running-Examiner~y2009m9d8-Caster-Semenya-makeover-in-YOU-Magazine-video

But, on September 10, 2009, the Sun tabloid newspaper claimed that there are reports that Semenya is a hermaphrodite who was raised as a woman from birth. Family members are quoted as saying, "This is a woman who was raised a female. She will always be female, no matter what people say."http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2631482/Runner-is-a-hermaphrodite.html Despite those reports, a definitive decision on Semenya's status was not forthcoming, and Semenya spoke out on the matter in March of 2010.

Semenya remained quiet for many months following the controversy, but on March 30, 2010, she broke her silence with a harsh critique of her treatment at the hand of the IAAF. She claimed that there is no medical impediment preventing her from competing on the women's track circuit, and that the IAAF is harming her career by not concluding its gender verification process. Semenya also said that she plans to race in the 2010 season.http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/mar/30/caster-semenya-iaaf-return-blocked

• "We understand that people will ask questions because she looks like a man. It's a natural reaction and it's only human to be curious."--Caster Semenya's coach, Michael Seme.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1207661/World-athletics-sensation-Claims-emerge-South-Africas-female-800m-hope-Caster-Semenya-really-MAN.html

• "Some of the occurrences leading up to and immediately following the Berlin world championships have infringed on not only my rights as an athlete but also my fundamental and human rights, including my rights to dignity and privacy."--Caster Semenya on being barred from racing.http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/mar/30/caster-semenya-iaaf-return-blocked

Caster Semenya analyzers her performance after a semifinal heat in the 800 meters in the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. Shortly after, suspicions over her masculine physique and deep voices let to her being barred from events pending a verification of her gender.