Sharron Davies on Hardtalk with Steven Sackur

[sabinaapplecross]

discussing the issue of fairness in sport

she very cleverly clarifies the Caster Semenya 46xy issue and also discusses Dr Rachel Mckinnon ( Dr philosophy)

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csy97q

She stands her ground and expresses her points well

pointed out Rachel McKinnon is doctor of philosophy not medical, is not a world class cyclist - masters in older age group and would be at age 70 plus level among men

It really puts it into perspective, doesn't it?

This:
Men: how did we let this happen?!
Women: well we did tell you...
Men: why didn't you speak out more?!

Why aren't more male sportspeople, or male sports commentators talking about this? Because it doesn't effect what (most) consider as real sport (the sort played by men obviously). And since, I think, many males have anxieties about female athletes anyway - don't look feminine enough, too muscular (are they more muscular than me?), too competitive, etc etc, they can't quite see why these 'unnatural' females shouldn't be nice to some other 'unnatural' females.

It really does seem that the rights of males are more important that the rights of females, even when those males don't want to be considered as males any more..............

He kept challenging the assertion (that she hadn't actually made), that no man would ever transition for gain.

But rankly, it's completely irrelevant. Their motivation doesn't determine whether it's fair or not. So it's a pointless to even raise the question.

To be fair, once you start talking about the sports issue especially, there aren't many questions a serious interviewer could ask with a straight face. I'm amazed they managed to do the whole piece without resorting to the usual 'hurt feelings' argument.

What a pleasure that was to listen to. She's great and really knows her stuff. Loved it when she challenged Sackur to say (and he didn't) that Caster Samenya was 46XY. And she pointed out the BBC's total failure to state this fact in their reporting. Clarifying how Caster would have been accurately identified as XY as a baby if she had been born in the UK and finishing by asking why the 3 medal winners in the women's 800m in Rio all had DSD if XY have no advantage over women was brilliant.
Outstanding!

Sharron totally knocked that out of the park.

I'm in awe of her skills across the board - an amazing athlete AND enormously articulate!

And I loved the 'doctor of philosophy' line.

Yes, I loved her pointing out the BBC’s biased reporting of the Caster Semenya case

does anyone else now want to be Sharron Davies when they grow up?

She really did hit all the key points. So, the percentages, the study on only 8 non-elite athletes........but the 46XY issue, you can see why she was such a brilliant competitor.

Cheers me up so immensely that her and Martina have both been prepared to address the issue where they are experts and can see that it is not fair.

Facts, figures, percentages -- how small a shift could destroy female sport.

Loved it when she challenged Sackur to say (and he didn't) that Caster Samenya was 46XY. And she pointed out the BBC's total failure to state this fact in their reporting. Clarifying how Caster would have been accurately identified as XY as a baby if she had been born in the UK

Talking to DH just now about the interview and recounted this bit, and DH was stunned. He had no idea CS was 46XY, as SD puts it. DH is well read, keeps up with the news and the issues and prides himself on getting the issues right. "This changes everything!" he said. How many other people think CS is a grey area because the BBC's reporting guidelines allow them to believe CS is XX with issues??

I sent the broadcast to a friend. She played sport at an amateur level & still coaches.

So disappointed, she relied about women born in women’s bodies & how CS is a gender non conforming woman. Sigh.

I watched this in the early hours and Sharon was amazing. I haven’t really seen her interviewed before - so impressive not letting SS get anything past her even though he kept interrupting and talking over her.
I might hatch it again as sound was muted.

She was great. Felt like cheering. Taking no prisoners.

OMG Caster is 46XY?!!!?

This does change everything.

Sharron Davies. Absolute legend. Epitomising the true meaning of brave and stunning. She wiped the floor with him.

Loved it when she challenged Sackur to say (and he didn't) that Caster Samenya was 46XY. And she pointed out the BBC's total failure to state this fact in their reporting.

And she didn't apologise for stating facts - so refreshing! Not only does Sharron know what she is talking about, she doesn't feel the need to preface every statement with an apology. She is all about protecting girls' and women's sports.

ThinkWitty - that was the whole point of the ruling: that Semenya is 46XY. So was never, will never be, a woman.

Oddly, the BBC decided to gloss over this fact. I heard a trail for a Dr Adam Rutherford thing on R4 this week where he is talking about scientific advances and whether trans women should compete against women. There's a sound clip from a bloke saying 'should we bar Usain Bolt from competing because he's got really long legs?'

I don't know who he is but I was infuriated

I've just watched. Sharron was so good! It's the best coverage of the topic that I've seen so far despite the rather annoying interviewer - all down to Sharron's complete grasp of the facts and the issues.

Cheers me up so immensely that her and Martina have both been prepared to address the issue where they are experts and can see that it is not fair.

And thanks should go to McKinnon for taking on Martina and making this an issue the media could no longer ignore.

I don’t know much about sport but this might be the first time a cyclist has scored an own goal.

On again now on the World Service.

WTF was that bit in the beginning where he tried to accuse her of being an "insider" who was somehow complicit in doping scandals? And then she explained that the BBC hadn't allowed her to ask the relevant questions and he quickly said "Well, never mind the BBC!" 😃

And "you seem to believe..." literally mansplaining to Sharron Davies what she thinks. Holy shit. What an arse. I probably shouldn't listen to the BBC, I kind of want to write an angry letter right now.

I heard the interview overnight on the World Service - Sharron was brilliant!

She never once faltered and was so in control of the facts - wasted as an occasional sports presenter.

I was very impressed.

part 2... oh my god.. the repeated use of "Do you understand?" I really want to smack this guy. I shouldn't have posted my above comment till I was sure I wouldn't want to rant any more!

Sharron Davies was totally on top of all the numbers and the facts and she managed to get them all out even with the mansplainer talking all over her. How brilliant.

And then he has the cheek to accuse her of "cynicism" about transwomen's motives. FFS they've just been discussing the ridiculous Rachel M, how could anyone not be cynical about Rachel McKinnon?

Oh my god, I love Sharron Davies, give her her own show. And I hate that presenter dude. Give Sharron his show!

Where do they find these pompous numpties? Sharron was brilliant.

Oh Sharron was so good!! Well done.