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Paris Olympics: The Gender Issue
Context:
Angela Carini from Italy withdrew from her Round of 16 boxing match against Algeria’s Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the bout following a few punches to her face, sparking the most significant controversy of the Olympics.
More on the news:
- Khelif faced backlash, including false claims of being a biological man or transgender woman and having an unfair advantage.
Gender Eligibility Issues:
- Khelif and Lin Yu-ting were previously banned from the World Championship by the International Boxing Association (IBA) for failing a “gender eligibility” test.
- The IBA was derecognized by the International Boxing Association (IOC), leading to different eligibility rules based on the gender stated in an athlete’s passport.
- The IOC confirmed that both Khelif and Lin met the eligibility regulations for the Olympics.
Why is gender eligibility a contentious issue in women’s sports?
- Sports are divided based on sex due to physiological differences, with testosterone playing a significant role in athletic performance.
- Chromosomes determine sex; XX results in female sex organs and XY in male sex organs.
- The SRY gene on the Y chromosome drives testosterone production, which is linked to physical advantages in athletic performance.
- A 2017 study indicates that sex differences in circulating testosterone largely explain differences in sporting performance.
- There is ongoing debate over gender eligibility, particularly regarding individuals with Disorders of Sex Development (DSDs) who may have higher testosterone levels.
- Some argue that women with DSDs, who may have advantages due to higher testosterone, should not compete in women’s sports to ensure fairness.
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What are Gender eligibility tests?
Modern Procedures:
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Sports Federation Policies:
- IOC Guidelines (2021): International sports federations are tasked with developing eligibility rules based on fairness, inclusion, and non-discrimination. Testosterone levels were previously used as a criterion, with a 10 nmol/L limit for trans women.
- World Athletics: DSD athletes must keep testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for 24 months before competing. Restrictions are stricter than previous limits.
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The Role of Testosterone in Athletic Performance:
Key Physical Attributes for Elite Performance:
Sex Differences in Athletic Attributes:
Impact of Testosterone:
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