Is It Fair To Allow An Athletic With High Natural Testosterone Levels To Compete, Even Though Athletics Are Banned From Taking Androgenic Steroids Supplements That Increase Testosterone Levels?

[willbewhatiwill]

Caster Semenya, 26, is a middle-distance runner and 2016 Olympic gold medallist. Caster Semenya testosterone levels is three times higher than is expected in women due to hyperandrogenism (increase testosterone). Due to a chromosomal abnormality, Caster has no womb or ovaries, but internal testes instead. IAAF will reconsider Caster Semenya eligibility to compete as a female at the end of the year.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2568578/who-is-caster-semenya-gender-row-runner-and-olympic-gold-medalist-heres-what-we-know/ reported, “After winning gold in the 2009 World Championships by beating her best by four seconds, Semenya was subjected to gender testing. She was banned from international competitions for almost a year before being cleared by the International Association of Athletics Federations. The IAAF believe that all other hyperandrogenic athletes should not compete unless they try to curb their naturally high testosterone levels. But it has faced legal challenges from female athletes who claim their high testosterone levels are “entirely natural” and that the IAAF rule was “discriminatory against women”.

[Berniecuddles2]

Yes it's not her fault and tonight she only came 3rd so your point is ?

[-SharonA-]

It is not fair. Looking at her, her posture, her looks and her size, she has very manly features. Many athletes have voiced the feelings but there is nothing the IAAF can do.

[AlfStewart]

This is a blatant unfair advantage but what else is there to do?

[willbewhatiwill]

Berniecuddles2: "Yes it's not her fault and tonight she only came 3rd"

Some athletes (not athletics) are born with certain features, including their sex. Male and female athletes do not often compete with each other. Caster Semenya gender is intersex. By coming third today, she had deprived GB athlete Muir her a third place, and many more others were deprived of their medals in the past.

[Smowball]

If you didn't know you would swear she was a man. I agree it's a difficult one.

[willbewhatiwill]

For those you say Caster Semenya was born that way (with gender of intersex - i.e., neither male or female)

How about Usain Bolt is born with long giant body & long legs that can take much wider strides than most athletes. Is this fair?

[Cloverjo]

It might seem unfair, but it's not her fault that she has a high testosterone level. I think she had to have hormone therapy to reduce it before she was allowed to compete again.

I feel for her. What must it be like to have private medical matters discussed across the world?

[Cloverjo]

I was just going to post the same point, Will, but deleted it. I agree that point could be made.

Should all basketball players have to be within a height range, e.g., and those who are deemed too tall are said to have an unfair advantage?

[willbewhatiwill]

Many non-human animals (they are also 'born that way') can run faster than any a athletes - animals like horses, baboons, wolves, cheetah, lion, tiger, deer, bear, etc, etc).

Is it then fair to include them in athletic competition with human male or female athletes?

[willbewhatiwill]

Cloverjo states: "Should all basketball players have to be within a height range, e.g., and those who are deemed too tall are said to have an unfair advantage?"

Perhaps not but tall basketball have so disadvantages in the sport - like poor circulatory system, hence poor health and muscles.

Caster Semenya is more sex organs of a male than female - she or he has internal testis (with high testosterone levels) but not ovaries & womb!

[willbewhatiwill]

I meant: Perhaps not but tall basketball have SOME disadvantages in the sport - like poor circulatory system & coordination, hence poor health and muscles.

[Cloverjo]

Well, no, will, but no one wants to put a horse in a human athletics race.

[willbewhatiwill]

I meant: Caster Semenya HAS more male sex organs than those of a female - she or he has internal testis (with high testosterone levels) but not ovaries & womb!

[willbewhatiwill]

Cloverjo: "no one wants to put a horse in a human athletics race"

Because of his/her excessive testosterone levels ( around 3 times those of a woman), Caster Semenya is well build.

[willbewhatiwill]

Do anyone consider a male athlete who change his sex to be a female be allowed into a female athlete competition?

Caster Semenya has more male sex organs than those of a female - she or he has internal testis (with high testosterone levels) but not ovaries & womb!

[jno]

is it fair that really tall people should be allowed to play basketball? It gives them an unfair advantage.

[Mamyalynne]

willbewhatiwill - Could you please desist repeating paragraphs of the same stuff, it is getting close to spamming now which often results in removal if seen by an Ed or moderator.

[twix123]

For an example of a male athlete changing to a female, consider the case of Renee Richards, the tennis player.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9e_Richards

whose playing as a female was sanctioned by the US Supreme Court.

[willbewhatiwill]

jno: "is it fair that really tall people should be allowed to play basketball? It gives them an unfair advantage".

Yes, as tall basketball have some disadvantages in the sport - like poor circulatory system & coordination, hence poor health and muscles.

The more relevant question is: can a male sex-change athlete compete in a category of her new sex group (female)? Surely not! Would you say otherwise?