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Gender Diversity in Sports

An online learning environment for learning about gender diversity as it pertains to sports, physical fitness, and athletic participation.

Who is Caster Semenya?

 A short introduction 

In 2009, a mere 2.5 seconds made Caster Semenya a household name across South Africa. It was her win in that 800 meter race at the 2009 IAAF World Championship that elevated her into the upper echelons of international competition. At the same time, Semenya's win drew increasing scrutiny along with accusations about cheating and both her sex and gender identity. As a result, "in 2009, the IAAF implemented what it called, a 'gender verification test' on Semenya. The test’s name in itself is a misnomer as gender is a social construct and what was essentially being tested was her biological sex. However, biological sex is also a complex matter and the test works with testosterone which is present in all women and not necessarily indicative of a performance advantage." (South African History Online, 2020)

For more insight into Semenya's situation, the unjust treatment to which she's been exposed, and her incredible resolve in the face of this treatment, watch through the following 2015 video detailing Semenya's fight to participate before continuing onto the next section:

Implications

Regulating testosterone

Since this Semenya biopic was released in 2015, the IAAF rules governing international competition have been updated with a focus on testosterone regulation, almost exclusively in female athletes. (Karkazis & Carpenter, 2018) However, as Karkazis & Carpenter (2018) have indicated, evidence that female athletes with elevated testosterone levels have a direct advantage is heavily contested by research, and in effect, "the harm to women with lower testosterone levels is perceived rather than actual." In addition, the new IAAF rules focus squarely on individuals like Semenya with diverse sex development. Even though the IAAF's intentions are likely good, they have resulted in a system which threatens the privacy of the athlete and enables "suspicion and judgment on the sex and gender identity of the athletes regulated." (Karkazis & Carpenter, 2018) The following video,produced by Vox Media, helps explain why this happens: