Gender Verification

By: Thomas Limmer

Table of Contents

Table of Contents.1

Statement of Purpose...2
Literature Review/Introduction....3 Ethical Issue4 Caster Semenya..5

Test Results6
Aftermath..7 Agree/Disagree.8 Conclusion.9 Test Question..10 References....11

Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this presentation is to explore the ethical
issue of Gender Verification in Sports.

Review of Literature

Introduction

The majority of sport organizations rely on the premise that athletes are either male or female. All athletes including intersex and transgender must be assigned to one of the categories. Medical testing and verification has taken place since the 1930s while the matter by some is seen to be conflict for activists and human right groups. Testing is often sensitive in nature and results can be inaccurate.

Ethical Issue

What is Gender Verification?

The purported rationale is to detect male imposters who would have an unfair competitive advantage. In point-of-fact, genuine imposters have not been uncovered; however, gender verification procedures have resulted in substantial harm to a number of unassailable women athletes born with relatively rare genetic abnormalities that affect development of the gonads or the expression of secondary sexual characteristics. (Genel)

Why is this an Ethical Issue?

Women often are embarrassed and are portrayed as a freak show. Usually the assumption of a woman being male makes news headlines. Multiple tests are required and the actual results can be inconclusive. Intersex athletes have an unfair advantage in competition. Discrimination? Any athlete can be requested for testing, if there is any suspicion or a challenge to her sex (Petterson&Chen)

Caster Semenya

South African middle-distance runner 2009 World Champion in 800m Forced to undergo Gender testing in 2009 (18 years old) Was not able to compete in minor track meets while testing was not complete

Allowed to compete in 2012 Olympics without results from gender testing released

Test Results
Caster was found to be a woman and a man. (Yaniv) Found to have no womb or ovaries and have internal
testes, giving her three times more testosterone than the average female.

Country rallied around her in support.

http://video.news.com.au/v/60144/Caster-Semenya-Too-Fast-for-a-Woman

Aftermath

Recent rule changes state that women who want to compete must have certain testosterone levels. (Karkiazis&Jordan-Young) Any athlete above must undergo treatment including surgery or hormone therapy. (Karkiazis&Jordan-Young) Every Athlete is Tested.

Agree/Disagree
I feel that intersex athletes are at an advantage during
competition and support the new rules for testing.

Results of athletes who a intersex should be kept private as

well as treatment.

Can this be avoided?

No. Without the testing of athletes, competitors who are seen as being intersex would be ridiculed and questioned by media and opposing athletes.

Conclusion

Through medical testing, sport organizations are able to

provide an even playing field for sports competitions. While gender verification in sports today is controversial and embarrassing for athletes and their families, procedures and therapy are now available to create fair competition as well as improve the health of an athlete.

Test Question

Caster Semenya won which event at the 2009 World

Championships in Berlin?

800 m

References
Curly, A. (2012, August 8th). Expert: Gender Testing 'Imperfect' For Female Athlete. CNN Health. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/08/health/athletes-gender-testing/ Karkazis, K., Jordan-Young. R,. (2014, April 10th). The Trouble With To Much T. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/11/opinion/the-trouble-with-too-much-t.html

Genel, M., (2000). Gender Verification No More?. Medscape Womens Health.

Retrieved from http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/OlympicGenderTesting.html Pettersson, S,. Chen, S,. (2013, March 1st). Gender Verification in Sports: Does Fair Play Really Exist?. Kahperd Journal. Vol. 50 2(25) Yaniv, O,. (2009, September 10). Caster Semenya, Forced To Take Gender Test. Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/caster-semenya-forced-gender-testwoman-man-article-1.176427