At the amateur level, I would agree in general.
But, at the competitive level (Olympics, national) there is a marked difference
in power event like 100-200 meters sprints, high jumps, clean and jerk weightlifting,
there is a BIG difference in records between males and females and it the
reason for this is muscle fibers, females have much more slow fibers which
are geared towards performance at 75% of maximum power during very
long period of times.
Power is Force X Speed, its the speed component that will be lacking until fibers turn over
from slow to fast.
It takes many years to turnover fibers and its only under very very hard training
that new fibers will be devellopped instead of old fibers boosted. So, unless
your a FTM who transitioned at 14-20, its improbably you'll ever be
doing the olympics because the fiber turnover will finish to late.
Doesn't mean you won't be strong as an ox though. Olympics and national level is
something most people cannot aspire too and I'm just telling you that
in this particular case, there is a difference.
For example, my high jump record is 7, 3 inch in practice (2m20 ).
That's very far from the male world record, but way above the female world record.
On the opposite direction, I found surprising that they allowed MTF in the olympics
only 3 years after SRS since in those events, it would give a distinct advantage.
But, I suppose being out of the competitive limelight for 3 years and
being at a disadvantage against men prior to SRS
would present enough of a disadvantage to compensate for this.
Also, there are very few high levels athletes, and even fewer TS.
I know of 2-3 high level athletes that have the chance to go to
the olympics and none are in power events; one is in mountain
biking and she's from Quebec. Initially, she faced some weariness
from other women on her circuit, but now she's well integrated
and they don't think she's got an undue advantage.
