Proposition on Solving Gender Testing in Sports Without Using Biology
Megan Ervin
4/24/14
Sports catch the attention of people all over the world, yet sports are distortedly unequal. If women were to compete with the guys, the women would lose most, if not all, in the superior sports. Men would have the advantage over women. Using the sport of track as an example, Semenya was accused in 2009 of being a man while competing in the women's sport of track. Semenya's track record at the world championship in the 800 meter race was only 1 minute 55.45 seconds. This time would not have even qualified her for the men's final who's slowest score was 1 minute 47.80 seconds. How could officials have a clear division between male and female leagues not involving biology?
The first possibility would be not to separate the genders in sports. As I have already stated above, the women would not stand a chance competing with the men. The men have a great advantage over the women concerning the way their bodies are built.
The next possibility would be to accept what the individual claims as their gender. No test. No questions to ask or answer. It would be presumed that eventually some people would not abide by the honor system, therefore leading men to compete as a woman.
The last possibility would be to separate the athletes by their legal gender, instead of dealing with tests, questions, and all other probabilities. Some questions may be raised concerning this possibility. Was the athlete raised as a boy or a girl? If you were raised as a girl, you compete with the women. If you were raised as a boy, you compete with the men. Although this could vary also. The honor system would come back in play considering this solution.
The question I am left with is what exactly enhances a males performance in sports that restricts women?
Source Citation
Vilain, Erica. "Gender Testing for Athletes Remains a Tough Call." Olympics. New York
Times, 18 June 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
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