Today, Explained Track and Female
May 3, 2019
Katrina Karkasis, a Senior Fellow at Yale and co-author of "Testosterone: An Unauthorized Biography," dives deep into the controversies surrounding female athletes and gender identity. She discusses Caster Semenya's remarkable career and the challenges posed by hyperandrogenism, sparking debates on fairness in athletics. Karkasis also tackles the complexities of testosterone regulations in women’s sports, exploring societal implications and historical contexts, as well as the resilience shown by athletes confronting discrimination.
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Caster Semenya's 2009 Win and Controversy
- Caster Semenya, a South African Olympic gold medalist, faced scrutiny over her sex and eligibility to compete.
- She underwent sex verification tests after winning by a large margin in 2009.
Intersex Athletes and Testosterone
- Semenya's case highlights the complex issue of intersex athletes in sports.
- She has naturally high testosterone levels, which became a point of contention.
Testosterone Regulations and Legal Battles
- In 2011, a ruling enforced a testosterone limit for female athletes, impacting Semenya's performance.
- This regulation was challenged and overturned, but later reinstated with an even stricter limit.
