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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Caster Semanya statement and transwoman in sport

202 replies

Binglebong · 18/06/2019 22:18

This is NOT about CS but about a statement made by the IAAF with regard to her. I hope that it can be used with regards to the issue of transwomen competing against women in sport. In fact, I don't see how it could be otherwise given they have banned CS.

"The IAAF considers that the DSD regulations are a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of protecting fair and meaningful competition in elite female athletics, and the Cas agreed."

It's the bit protecting fair and meaningful competition in elite female athletics that is particularly relevant, they obviously do recognise there is a fairness issue with the different bodies that males and females have.

I would be really interested to hear people's thoughts.

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christinarossetti19 · 18/06/2019 22:30

I agree with the IAAF. I think their original statement was along the lines of acknowledging that their ruling was discriminatory but necessary to preserve the integrity of women's sports.

I feel very sorry for Semenya - it must be awful to have very private medical information about yourself in the public domain, and have your dsd discussed by all and sundry.

I also agree with Semenya that she should take testosterone. It's short and long term side effects are awful.

Her options at the moment are to race at another distance or to run in men's races, as I see them. I do understand how 'unfair' it seems to her - she can't help her dsd - but it would be less 'fair' to permit the boundaries of women's sport to be compromised in this way.

Also - women were banned from running the Olympic 800m for most of the 20th century as they were thought too frail. Women have had to fight long and hard to even have women categories for sport, which always come second best, in terms of status, prestige, sponsorship, air time and prize money to men's.

It's vital that they're not eroded.

Binglebong · 18/06/2019 22:19

This us the original article.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/48678230

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