Non-binary identities where individuals identify themselves as neither completely male or female has perhaps, stoked the most contentious debate of recent times - the participation of transgender athletes in women's sport.
Much of the controversy has stemmed from comments, made by celebrity sportswomen such as Martina Navratilova when she had levelled “cheating” allegations against trans women in sport. Some believe that the transition of males into females places them in an advantageous position in competitive sports owing to high testosterone levels and increased strength. But critics have argued against exclusion of trans women and furthermore, some medical experts explain that other factors should be taken into account to classify athletes as opposed to just their “sex by birth”.
“We do not at the moment, stratify the athletes with regards to height, race, haemoglobin type, attitude of country of origin, muscle fibre type, lung volume, age particularly.
“In fact, the only way that we stratify athletes, today either by weight for certain events such as boxing or through “sex”. The most important difference in stratification through sex is the level of testosterone,” said Dr. James Barrett, Director, Gender Identity Clinic.
While, there has been limited research around participation of trans woman in competitive or elite sport, the report 'The Fluidity of Gender and Implications for Elite Sport' states-
“What defines differences in performance between males and females are the effects of androgens on muscle (muscle mass and strength), bone (size and density) and on circulating haemoglobin levels. Other androgen-related mechanisms contributing to the aforementioned differences in athletic performance also include some psychobiological characteristics (mood, aggression, motivation) and muscle myoglobin content.”
While a study published in 2015 by Canadian scientist Joanna Harper, suggested that male-to-female transgender athletes tended to run significantly slower after having hormone therapy to reduce testosterone, to the point where they had no advantage over other women.
The debate around “permissible testosterone levels” in trans women for their participation in elite sports continues. And despite increasing criticism from mainstream athletes, activists and medical experts believe that “trans fold” should be given an equal chance to participate in sport.
