IAAF case looks good. A win for Semena would be seismic and perhaps the end of female athletics. Add message | Report
Mumfun Wed 13-Feb-19 22:13:24
The IAAF press release contains this sentence: However if a DSD athlete has testes and male levels of testosterone, they get the same increases in bone and muscle size and strength and increases in haemoglobin that a male gets when they go through puberty, which is what gives men such a performance advantage over women.
This would seem to say that they wont allow transwomen who have gone through male puberty.
NotBadConsidering Wed 13-Feb-19 22:26:54
How can they acknowledge there are other advantages apart from testosterone, but then only require a drop in testosterone? The increase in myonucleii, VO2Max, muscle mass etc can't be undone. She either has a fixed unfair advantage or she doesn’t. Dropping testosterone levels doesn’t remove the fact Semenya has other advantages of male biology.
This case is important for arguments with people like McKinnon, who argues they shouldn’t have to drop testosterone levels. I agree with McKinnon, because McKinnon has male biolgical advantages that cannot be undone, so the only fair solution to the women in the competition is to not allow McKinnon to compete.
Caucho Wed 13-Feb-19 22:38:54
One of the main issues that every sport has their own governing bodies and can make their own rules. I can’t see how this is worse than that weightlifter or cyclist by any stretch. I feel sorry for her because of her personal circumstances but it’s right to say no as not fair on the thousands of her female competitors
OldCrone Wed 13-Feb-19 22:50:11
The next paragraph is important, though, Mumfun:
“Therefore, to preserve fair competition in the female category, it is necessary to require DSD athletes to reduce their testosterone down to female levels before they compete at international level.”
But even when they decrease their testosterone levels, they still have the benefit of the increased bone size and muscle mass which the testosterone gave them. So they still have an advantage over women.
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This is an evolving case with crystal clear/no nonsense determination expected.
Obama is expected to return his Nobel, if he has any decency left.
So too Semena should return those Comm & other medals that s/he paraded so shamelessly.
Will watch further developments of Reason over PC tussle.
Will this athletic marvel consider becoming a Mother?
