Making a case for testosterone-based classification in sports
Sports have long been classified into two categories, male and female. Despite the recognition of a third gender by the judiciary and the society, the world of sports has been slow to adapt. The fluidity of gender, too, has largely been overlooked by the sports world. This highlights a major gap in our understanding of gender and sex as a society.
Published on: 31 May 2023, 06:09 am
Sports have long been classified into two categories, male and female. Despite the recognition of a third gender by the judiciary and the society, the world of sports has been slow to adapt. The fluidity of gender, too, has largely been overlooked by the sports world. This highlights a major gap in our understanding of gender and sex as a society.
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Just when sports are beginning to take a front row in our country, a new and unique challenge has arisen in the field. The challenge, to which no immediate solution is in sight, is the participation of transgender and intersex persons in sports.
Gender is a complex construct that goes beyond the binary classification of male and female, and it is important for sports to acknowledge and accommodate this diversity. The current system not only excludes transgender and intersex individuals from sports but also reinforces harmful gender stereotypes that restrict opportunities and perpetuate discrimination.
While taking a human rights approach to the issue, it is important to note that human rights violations in sports are already a reality, both domestically and globally. Therefore, it is crucial to start a discourse on the matter now, to ensure that a framework is established to address these violations and guarantee a level playing field for all athletes regardless of their gender identity.
Major issues arising out of sex-based categorisation
The male and female categorisation in sports is done for reasons of fairness. However, fairness in sports has held different meanings at different points in time. Sports were historically organised in ways that prioritised physical attributes, with a particular emphasis on natural endowments. Until the late 19th century, the competition was largely understood to be a test of natural ability, and women were not permitted to participate in the Olympics until the 1900 Games in Paris, where their participation was limited to a few categories.