The podcast delves into the struggles faced by elite female runners who are being told they can no longer race as women due to their biology. It explores the challenges of proving femininity in sports and the 100-year history of gender testing, as athletes are forced to decide whether to take drugs, quit their sport, or fight back.
History of degrading sex testing in women's sports exposes unfair exclusion practices.
Podcast raises important questions on gender identity, inclusivity, and eligibility in sports competitions.
Deep dives
Challenges Faced by Female Athletes
In the past, elite female athletes were required to possess a 'certificate of femininity' to compete, which involved invasive and degrading testing procedures. Some athletes were disqualified after being told they were not biologically female, leading to emotional distress and unfair exclusion from competitions. This historical practice extended from the 1960s to the 90s, with echoes of similar discriminatory practices persisting today, particularly in track and field where fast female athletes face doubts about their gender.
Upcoming Podcast Series 'Tested'
A new series titled 'Tested' by CBC and NPR's Embedded will explore the challenges faced by female track and field stars who are questioned about their gender due to their exceptional performance. This podcast will delve into the ongoing debate about fairness in sports and life, raising important questions on gender identity, inclusivity, and who holds the power to determine an individual's eligibility to compete. Through 'Tested,' listeners will gain insights into the complex dynamics of gender verification in sports and its impact on athletes' lives.
Who gets to compete? Since the beginning of women's sports, there has been a struggle over who qualifies for the women's category. Tested follows the unfolding story of elite female runners who have been told they can no longer race as women, because of their biology. As the Olympics approach, they face hard choices: take drugs to lower their natural testosterone levels, give up their sport entirely, or fight. To understand how we got here, we trace the surprising, 100-year history of sex testing. Tested is a new 6-part series from NPR's Embedded and CBC. Hosted by journalist Rose Eveleth, it launches July 15, ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. Embedded+ supporters enjoy early and ad-free access.