Transgender Athletes

Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sports

William Kwan

Kornei, Kathrine. “The scientist racing to discover how gender transitions alter athletic performance, including her own.” Science, 12 Mar. 2020, https://www.science.org/content/article/scientist-racing-discover-how-gender-transitions-alter-athletic-performance-including.

The article explores ongoing scientific research into how gender transitions can impact athletic performance. The study aims to provide more evidence-based guidance on the topic of transgender athletes competing in sports. Scientists are conducting tests to measure changes in muscle mass, bone density, and other physiological factors before and after gender transitions. However, the research is still in its early stages, and there are limitations to the studies, including small sample sizes and the lack of long-term data. The International Olympic Committee has established guidelines for transgender athletes, which require them to lower their testosterone levels for at least 12 months before competing. However, some argue that these guidelines may not be sufficient and that more research is needed to ensure fair competition for all athletes.

The article is credible because it is published on the website of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a respected scientific organization. The AAAS is an international non-profit organization that promotes scientific education and research and publishes several reputable scientific journals, including Science. The article references the work of several researchers and institutions, including the International Olympic Committee, the Karolinska Institute, and the University of California Los Angeles, which are all well-respected in the scientific community. The article also acknowledges the limitations of the current research and provides a balanced view of the ongoing debate around transgender athletes in sports. Overall, the article presents a well-researched and objective overview of the topic.

  1. “The question of whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in sports has become a flashpoint in recent years, with some arguing that they have an unfair advantage, while others say excluding them is discriminatory.”
  2. “The ongoing research is aimed at providing more evidence-based guidance to sports governing bodies on the issue. But experts caution that the science is in its early stages, and there are many unknowns.”

Transgender Athletes Competing at a High Level

William Kwan

 Dennis L. Weisman,”Transgender Athletes and Fair Competition in Public Policy.” Cato Institute, Fall 2022, https://www.cato.org/regulation/fall-2022/transgender-athletes-fair-competition-public-policy.

  • The article “Transgender Athletes and Fair Competition in Public Policy” by Dennis L. Weisman examines the impact of transgender athletes on fairness in sports competitions. Weisman argues that allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports events that correspond with their gender identity rather than their biological sex creates an unfair advantage for them. The author suggests that sports competitions should be based on biological sex, and that transgender athletes should be required to undergo hormone therapy or surgery to compete in their preferred gender category. Weisman also criticizes the policies of sports organizations that have allowed transgender athletes to compete without taking into account the physical advantages they may have. Overall, the article presents a perspective that supports the exclusion of transgender athletes from sports competitions that correspond with their gender identity, and raises questions about how fairness can be maintained in a changing landscape of gender identity and sports.
  • The Cato Institute is a well-respected public policy research organization that conducts in-depth research on a variety of topics. The author, Dennis L. Weisman, is an economist and professor who has published numerous articles and books on sports economics and public policy. Additionally, the article goes through a rigorous peer-review process to ensure the accuracy and validity of its claims.

1: “Policies that permit transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity may undermine fairness in sports competition and pose a threat to the participation of cisgender athletes.”

2: “In the absence of regulatory guidance and with the intense competition for victories, transgender athletes may gain an unfair advantage by leveraging their biological advantages acquired before transitioning, despite testosterone suppression or other hormone therapies.”

(Dennis L. Weisman)

Transgender Athletes Competing at a High Level

William Kwan

International Olympic Committee. “IOC Releases Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations.” Olympics.com, 9 April 2021, https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-releases-framework-on-fairness-inclusion-and-non-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-gender-identity-and-sex-variations.

  • The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has released a framework that promotes fairness, inclusion, and non-discrimination in sports based on gender identity and sex variations. The framework was developed in consultation with various stakeholders, including athletes, medical experts, and human rights organizations, and aims to provide guidance to sports organizations on how to create a more inclusive environment for all athletes. The framework emphasizes principles such as respect for an athlete’s self-identified gender, protection from harassment and abuse, and access to appropriate medical care. The IOC’s framework is based on scientific evidence and international human rights standards, and aims to balance the rights and needs of all athletes. This represents a significant step towards greater inclusion and diversity in sports and has been widely welcomed by advocacy groups and experts. The framework sets a positive example for other sports organizations to follow, promoting an environment of respect and equality for all athletes, regardless of their gender identity or sex variations.
  • The article is a press release from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), an organization responsible for overseeing the organization of the Olympic Games and promoting sportsmanship among athletes. As an official communication from the IOC, it is considered a credible source, and the article also demonstrates the organization’s commitment to evidence-based decision-making and consultation with experts and stakeholders.
  1. “Through the Framework, the IOC is committed to ensuring that all athletes can compete in a safe, inclusive and respectful environment, free from any form of discrimination and with the full recognition of their human rights.”
  2. “The Framework is based on the latest scientific evidence and international human rights standards and aims to balance the right to participate in sport with the right to compete in fair and meaningful competitions.”
(INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE)

Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sports

William Kwan

Torres, Lopez Frias, F. J., & Patiño, M. J. M. (2022). Beyond Physiology: Embodied Experience, Embodied Advantage, and the Inclusion of Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sport. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 16(1), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/17511321.2020.1856915

  • The article titled “Beyond Physiology: Embodied Experience, Embodied Advantage, and the Inclusion of Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sport” explores the inclusion of transgender athletes in competitive sports from an embodied perspective. The authors argue that current discussions around the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports have mainly focused on physiological differences and advantages, while neglecting the significance of embodied experience. The article highlights the importance of recognizing the embodied experiences of transgender athletes, which can significantly affect their athletic performance. The authors suggest that including the perspectives and experiences of transgender athletes in discussions about sports policies and regulations can lead to more inclusive and fair policies. The authors also propose a framework that considers physiological and embodied factors in including transgender athletes in sports. This approach takes into account the complexity of human embodiment and recognizes the role of social, cultural, and environmental factors in shaping athletes’ embodied experiences and performance. Overall, this article provides a thought-provoking analysis of the inclusion of transgender athletes in competitive sports and highlights the importance of considering embodied experiences in these discussions.
  • The article is published in a reputable academic journal and includes a framework for considering the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. It offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussions around the topic, making it a credible and useful source for researchers, policymakers, and those interested in the subject.

“Transgender athletes’ embodied experiences suggest that physiological differences are not the only factors that need to be considered when developing sports policies, as the interactions between the body, identity, and social context are critical in shaping the athletic performance of transgender athletes.”

(Torres)

“By recognizing the role of social, cultural, and environmental factors in shaping athletes’ embodied experiences and performance, our proposed framework aims to move beyond reductionist understandings of the body and enhance the inclusiveness of sports policies.”

(Torres)