The logic of categorisation in sport

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the basis of eligibility rules in sport by exhibiting the logic of categorisation, with its associated ethical problems. We shall be concerned mainly with precompetition categoriesage, sex, weight and dis/abilitybecause they are directly relevant to sports performance and are relatively stable inequalities. We shall prefer to use the term "categorisation", although we mean by it just what others might mean by classification, to refer to divisions, classes, groups, etc. The paper argues that we have categories only because we consider it desirable to offer some groups protected status in order to enable and promote inclusion and fairness. This desirability condition determines eligibility. Only then do issues arise of which sub-categories we should have, and how they are to be policed. There will always be categories in sport, as a minimum to protect athletes based on age groupings, from children to veterans. But since every categorisation brings its own problems, we need to ensure that we keep them balanced, so that sport can strive for maximum inclusion of different kinds of athletes, and maximum fairness. This requires us to step back from the many particular debates in order to rethink the logic of the whole categorisation process.

The International Olympic Committee framework on fairness, inclusion and nondiscrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations does not protect fairness for female athletes

“…Specifically, male development generates physical and physiological performance advantages so large that sport requires a separate category to exclude attributes resulting from normal male development for sports requiring power, strength, speed, and endurance 23–25,27–40 (Figure 1). Failing to acknowledge male category‐level advantage or arguing it is simply a “presumption” undermines the purpose of segregated sex categories in sports and obscures the competitive differences that should be celebrated and rewarded within each sex category 41,42 …”

“…The IOC framework suggests that sports organizations may need to issue eligibility criteria for sex‐segregated competition to maintain a fair and proportionate distribution of competitive advantages. However, this statement blurs the lines between categorical and competitive advantage and confuses the concepts of fairness and meaningful competition 41,66 . The specific purpose of establishing eligibility criteria for the female category is not to ensure a proportionate or acceptable distribution of competitive advantages around a given level of performance but to ensure fairness by excluding all male advantages, thereby ensuring the integrity of the female category in the first place.…”

“…Failing to acknowledge male category-level advantage or arguing it is simply a "presumption" undermines the purpose of segregated sex categories in sports and obscures the competitive differences that should be celebrated and rewarded within each sex category. 41,42…”

Neuro-doping, tDCS and Chess — are WADA’s Regulations under Threat?

“…Conversely, what sport competitions do is try to 'eliminate or compensate for inequalities between individuals and groups upon which they exert little or no control and for which they cannot be held responsible'. 234 To this end, 'women do not generally compete with men in tennis competitions' 235 or in weightlifting competitions (although one potential exception is of transgender women and intersex athletes, especially after the recent reversal of the Olympic guidelines in relation to transwomen, 236 as well as the approval by IOC to allow transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics), 237 and heavyweight boxers do not fight lightweight competitors. Equipment is standardised and classification systems operate on criteria such as biological sex, body mass and age.…”

Moving beyond skills acquisition: a multiple case study of situated learning in a league for children with disabilities

“…Such tendencies are not unique to sport but reflect larger societal discourses within youth culture ( 3 ). Within organized sports, children are categorized and grouped according to their age, gender, and abilities, and this is thought to facilitate their inclusion as well as ensuring fairness in sporting communities ( 4 ). Consequently, sport for children (with a range of abilities and disabilities) are often grouped according to their level of physical skills.…”