World Athletics, the organization that governs international athletics, has recently implemented a new policy prohibiting transgender women from participating in elite female competitions if they have undergone male puberty. Additionally, the institution has enforced stricter rules for athletes with Differences in Sex Development (DSD), including a decrease in the acceptable level of plasma testosterone from 5 to 2.5 nanomoles per litre.
Understanding the Ban and its Primary Arguments
World Athletics explains that its decision to impose a ban on transgender women in high-level female competitions stems from a desire to uphold fairness within the female category. This is because the physiological advantages obtained during male puberty, such as increased muscle mass and bone density, are perceived as potentially skewing competitive balance among athletes.
This new ruling presents significant implications for DSD athletes, like Caster Semenya, Christine Mboma, and Francine Niyonsaba. The altered testosterone threshold is particularly impactful; for instance, both Semenya and Niyonsaba were prevented from participating in the 800m race at the 2020 Olympics due to these revised standards. They subsequently shifted their focus to the 5,000m race, while Mboma secured silver in the 200m following this regulation change.
In parallel, World Aquatics, the body that regulates global swimming competitions, has also endorsed a similar ban on transgender women who have experienced any stage of male puberty.
What constitutes Differences in Sex Development?
Differences in Sex Development (DSD) refer to a condition where an individual’s physical sex traits do not conform to standard male or female development patterns. This non-alignment can encompass a variety of genetic, hormonal, or anatomical variations, which can result in conditions such as intersex or ambiguous genitalia.
Within the sporting domain, DSD athletes are often characterized by naturally high testosterone levels—an issue that has fueled considerable controversy and regulatory modifications in the sporting world. For example, DSD athletes may possess male testes but lack sufficient production of the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is essential for the formation of male external genitalia.
Testosterone-based Regulations in Athletics
Over the years, World Athletics has tried to manage the debate around DSD athletes by implementing rules tethered to testosterone levels. The rationale behind these regulations is that testosterone is viewed as a potent performance-enhancing hormone. Therefore, its presence above certain thresholds is considered to provide a competitive edge, thus affecting the fair play principle intrinsic to sports.
The current decision to halve acceptable plasma testosterone levels from 5 to 2.5 nanomoles per litre is an extension of this ongoing effort. While such rules are meant to secure fairness, they have also provoked criticism and legal challenges, as affected athletes argue that they are being unfairly targeted due to natural hormonal variations beyond their control.
While this topic continues to ignite heated debates about the right balance between inclusivity and fair competition, it is clear that World Athletics’ moves will have far-reaching implications on the future of women’s sports at all levels.
