For instance, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recently condemned the gender verification tests hitherto administered to athletes as ‘illegitimate.’ This followed the emerging controversy as to the ability of female boxers to compete at the Olympic Games; a clear sign of the continuing issue of gender and equity in sports.
Background to Gender Testing in Sports
A brief history of gender verification in sports is laden with controversy. First used in the 1960s, these tests were intended as a means of proving that only female competitors qualified to enter women’s events. Nevertheless, the tools used were quite invasive, academically unsound, and contained moral issues. These examinations, ranging from external examination to chromosomal tests have caused a lot of concern owing to their reliability, their accuracy, and most importantly the psychological torture the athletes are put through.
The IOC and Issues on Gender Testing
The IOC has recognized that previous practices have been filled with problems and social bias and has stated that earlier methodologies were far from being scientifically credible. In a recent press release exclaimed, “The techniques that were used in the past for gender verification were not sound science and everyone in the world of sport deserves nothing but respect and that is what we’ll get”.
Over time, the IOC has changed and begun to consider hormone levels, with specific emphasis on testosterone, as a factor that determines the eligibility of female athletes in women’s categories. However, this method has received criticism, especially when used to give or exclude athletes with naturally high levels of testosterone or athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD).
What Do Olympic Boxers Contend With?
The matter of gender testing has become a matter of rather recent concern especially about the Olympic boxing. Some of the female boxers have been challenged about their gender thus the need for equal and favorable policies. However, opponents state that the current standards remain sexist and do not take into consideration relations between sex and biology in any way.
There is for instance the case of India’s boxer, Manisha Moun, who was recently forced to undergo a gender verification test prior Olympic games in Tokyo 2020. Thus, although the athlete was allowed to compete after that, the scandal pointed to the necessity of a more humane and scientifically rational approach to the determination of gender.
One point the authors score is in the emphasis that the way towards a more inclusive future should not be considered a linear process.
Towards a More Inclusive Future
Because of such controversies, the IOC has admitted that they will reform and revise their policies on gender verification. The organization seeks to achieve reasonable competitiveness and protect all players’ human rights regardless of their gender or profile.
The IOC did not stop there though stating that gender is not a simple matter; it is a compounded one. Their mission stands as follows: The vision of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans athletes to be able to effectively compete with heterosexual athletes without prejudice.
Conclusion
The statement of the IOC expressing the imperfection of previous gender verification procedures can be viewed as the first step towards athletes’ equal treatment. While the debate about gender in sports progresses, athletic organizations should create rules that will accept the variety of the human body and individuals. The issues with the Olympic boxer’s help recall the necessity of further efforts in search of a more inclusive approach to the field of sports all across the globe.
