Time to re-evaluate gender segregation in athletics?

Abstract

The case of Caster Semenya provides a vivid illustration of the ways in which natural genetic variation can generate large differences in athletic performance. But since we normally segregate athletic sports along the lines of this particular variation-gender-her case also highlights problems with the current approach to justice in sporting competition. Female athletes seem to have a valid complaint when they are made to compete against athletes who are, in one sense or another, male. But once we recognise that gender is not a binary quantity, sex segregation in competitive sport must be seen as an inconsistent and unjust policy, no matter what stance we take on the goals of sport or on the regulation of doping.

Together, yet still not equal? Sex integration in equestrian sport

“…Therefore, a growing number of scholars are beginning to question the usefulness, practicality and justice of continuing to segregate sport in these ways (e.g. Foddy and Savulescu, 2011;Anderson, 2009b). Some feminists have responded to the ongoing devaluing and subordination of female athleticism by drawing attention to the sporting achievements of female athletes (Choi, 2000), by questioning the dominance of male-oriented sports and physical attributes (Messner, 2002) and by highlighting the shortage of women in sports organisations that limits the ability of women to shape and influence the development of sport as a social practice (Walker and Bopp, 2011).…”

“…The contemporary justification for continuing to segregate sport comprises a complex mix of biological, economic and commercial arguments -many of which are highly contested. These are combined with social norms which continue to frame sport as a male domain (Foddy and Savulescu, 2011;Tucker, 2010;Anderson, 2009b). Sport thus reflects the wider, deeply ingrained, gender order in Western societies which continues to position men and women as categorically different and unequal (Connell, 1987).…”

The Limits of Acceptable Biological Variation in Elite Athletes: Should Sex Ambiguity Be Treated Differently From Other Advantageous Genetic Traits?

“…As Hercher 39 states, "taking an excess of testosterone is cheating," while "producing an excess of testosterone is a genetic advantage." Foddy and Savulescu 24 add that for women like Semenya, it is "as though they have taken steroids, except . .…”

“…Known sequence variations in testosterone receptor genes afford them more "bang for the androgen buck" from the same amount of testosterone as those without the fortunate polymorphisms. 24 Some individuals simply produce more endogenous testosterone than others. 25 Should they be relegated to the sidelines?…”

The lived experience of sex-integrated sport and the construction of athlete identity within the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian disciplines

“…Indeed within the context of the Olympic Games today, there remains only one class of sailing and the three equestrian disciplines in which men and women can compete equally against each other. The contemporary justification for binary sex segregation of sport is based on a complex mix of factors including biological, economical and commercial arguments, combined with social norms which continue to frame sport in a male domain (Foddy and Savulescu 2011). Hargreaves (2002) explains that the historical justification for segregating sport was built around the ideas of sexual difference and the belief in the unsuitability of sport and physical activity for girls and women.…”