Sex Verification: You Say You’re a Woman? That Should Be Enough

[Shana A]

Sex Verification: You Say You're a Woman? That Should Be Enough
By REBECCA JORDAN-YOUNG and KATRINA KARKAZIS
Published: June 17, 2012

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/18/sports/olympics/olympic-sex-verification-you-say-youre-a-woman-that-should-be-enough.html?_r=1

The International Olympic Committee's new policy governing sex verification is expected to ban women with naturally high testosterone levels, a condition known as hyperandrogenism, from women's competitions, claiming they have an unfair advantage. I.O.C. officials portray this as a reasonable compromise in a difficult situation, arguing that the rules may be imperfect, but that sports are rule-based — and that the rules should be clear.

We agree that sports need clear rules, but we also believe that the rules should be fair and as rational as possible. The new policy, if it is based on testosterone levels, is neither.

So what is a better solution?

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Gender Testing for Athletes Remains a Tough Call
By ERIC VILAIN
Published: June 18, 2012

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/18/sports/olympics/the-line-between-male-and-female-athletes-how-to-decide.html

In times of extreme political correctness infiltrating almost every societal topic, sport stands out as an oddity. It captures the passion of billions of people around the world, yet it is grotesquely unequal. There are no remedial programs for ungifted athletes.

Yet when it comes to women in sports, everyone frets about equality.

This was particularly true in the outrage over the case of Caster Semenya, the South African athlete who won the 800 meters at the world championships in Berlin in 2009 and was accused of holding an unfair advantage because she was thought to compete unjustly in a women's event. When men are more talented than others, it is an expression of the beauty of sports. But when women outcompete others, suspicions about eligibility and arguments for a level playing field often arise.

[Jamie D]

Of course, the "best" solution to the issue is not to have segregated-by-sex competition.

[Nicolette]

Perhaps, split by physical characteristics.

[RAY]

How dare they make such dark ages ruling! How come they are not going after all these male sports athletes who use many things to compete! Such sexist narrow thinking! I will support nor use my money for any IOC events

[SourCandy]

I get that "Men might dress up as women for the sole purpose of winning" is a concern. However I think it's preeeeeetttty childish to think that that couldn't be policed with maturity.

If they are going to do this, then the entire Olympics shouldn't be separated by gender, but by testosterone class (Like boxing weight classes). Which would actually be pretty interesting, even if there are inherent problems with the idea.

[justmeinoz]

I wonder if anyone has suggested testing all athletes, male and female.  Or would that be considered intrusive.  The Gender Order is alive and well and living in the IOC. 

Karen.