Deep Dive: The Science of Protecting Women's Sports From Men, and the Olympics Boxing Controversy | Ep. 862
Aug 15, 2024
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Ross Tucker, co-host of "The Science of Sport" podcast and sports science expert, tackles the heated debate surrounding male boxers competing in women's categories at the Olympics. He discusses the controversies over testosterone testing and the impact of IOC's outdated rules on competition. The conversation dives deep into the intricacies of gender identity in sports and recent rulings affecting athletes with differences in sexual development. Tucker calls for improved safety measures for women athletes, especially with the approaching LA 2028 Olympics.
The controversy surrounding male boxers competing in women's categories highlights significant gaps in the International Olympic Committee's eligibility policies.
Ross Tucker emphasizes that advancements in testing technology could help ensure the safety and fairness of women's sports amidst ongoing disputes.
Deep dives
Controversy in Olympic Boxing
The episode delves into a scandal involving two male Olympic boxers who competed as women, raising significant concerns regarding biological eligibility in sports. This controversy stemmed from their disqualification during World Championships due to failing eligibility tests that indicated they had XY chromosomes, typically associated with male biology. Ross Tucker, an expert in sports science, emphasizes that the International Boxing Association disqualified these athletes based on legitimate tests, which highlighted their male biological characteristics. In contrast, the International Olympic Committee has allowed these athletes to compete due to differing policies, leading to confusion and debate surrounding the legitimacy of the athletes' gender identity.
Fragmentation of Policies
The episode highlights the fragmented landscape of sports eligibility policies concerning transgender and intersex athletes, which has led to inconsistencies across different sports. Prior to 2019, the IOC had a uniform policy allowing individuals who identified as women to compete in women's sports, provided they lowered their testosterone levels. However, various sports organizations began revising their policies after recognizing that this approach did not ensure fairness for female athletes. This lack of unified guidelines from the IOC has resulted in a situation where different sports apply varying criteria, leading to cases of biological males competing in women's events while others remain restricted.
Test Results and Implications
Discussion about the credibility of the tests conducted on the two boxers reveals complex implications regarding their biological identification. The episode mentions that respected journalist Alan Abramson reviewed the results of these tests, which confirmed abnormal findings consistent with male chromosomal patterns and testosterone levels. The absence of appeals from the boxers’ side raises questions about their claim to identify as female, suggesting that they might not have contested the findings due to the overwhelming weight of the evidence against them. The conversation stresses the importance of transparent testing methodologies and scientific validations in determining athletes' eligibility for competition.
Future of Women's Sports
The episode concludes by contemplating the future implications of these controversies on women's sports, particularly looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The ongoing issues indicate that without decisive action from sports governing bodies, similar challenges will likely continue to arise, potentially compromising safety and fairness for female athletes. Ross Tucker discusses the possibility of legal action from female boxers who may feel threatened by competing against biologically male athletes, citing the foreseeable risks involved. The call for clearer regulations and accountability emphasizes the need to protect women’s sports from potential disadvantages posed by biological males competing against them.
Megyn Kelly is joined by Ross Tucker, co-host of "The Science of Sport" podcast, to discuss the men competing in the female boxing category at the Olympics, the dispute between the IOC and the IBA that led to this moment, how an athlete found to have XY chromosomes would not be allowed to compete in women's sports in swimming at the Olympics, how easy it would be to keep biological women safe in sports with new technologies in testing, how testosterone influences athletic performance, how the IOC's antiquated rules hurt competition, and more.
