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Post Info TOPIC: Olympics - womens events
JonH


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Olympics - womens events
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I see the Olympics have announced they will only let those born biologically female take part in the womens events. 

Specifically:

Eligibility will be determined by a "once in a lifetime" sex test, which would prevent transgender women and those with differences in sexual development (DSD) from competing.

It will take effect from the Los Angeles Olympics.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry said the policy was "led by medical experts".

"At the Olympic Games even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat," she said.

"So it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe."

I have a concern here and it is personal. My daughter has mosaic Turners Syndrome. Mosaic meaning it is only affecting roughly 1/3rd of her cells. Nonetheless Turners is regarded as a DSD. 

DSD stands for Differences of Sex Development (or Disorders of Sex Development), a group of congenital conditions where chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex varies from typical male/female patterns. It describes over 60 conditions, including ambiguous genitalia, Klinefelter syndrome (XXY), or Turner syndrome

Turners Sydrome only affects girls. Boys cant have Turners Syndrome - Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic condition affecting only females, caused by the partial or complete absence of one X chromosome. It impacts roughly 1 in 2,500 live births, causing short stature and premature ovarian failure (infertility). While no cure exists, treatments like growth hormone and estrogen therapy help manage symptoms for a healthy, independent life. 

I have no issue with the basic idea, in fact support it, around only allowing those born female to take part in the womens events. My concern is how they define DSD. It makes me very emotional - I hope they are sensible and 

realise that some so called DSD's are a) female only and b) convey no advantage to the person.

In my daughters case, she outwardly has nothing that visually shows her as Turners (some signs are obvious in many cases); she is 5' 3" which maybe seen as a little short but I would say is quite normal for many females and so doesnt stand out

The fact she is mosaic probably helps her a lot. But I have a lot of sympathy for Turners girls and hope the Olympics movement is sensible about how this is implemented and how they define the lose and frankly insulting language that often surrounds DSD's  



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JonH


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It seems Turners is already noted, per this quick AI google - nonetheless I do hope they implement the new rules fairly and sensitively. Whilst I agree with the rule, these are people we are dealing with, not just chancers

Based on current information, girls with Turner Syndrome (typically 45,X or mosaic variations) are highly unlikely to be banned from women's Olympic events, as they do not possess the Y chromosome or high testosterone levels that are the focus of new eligibility restrictions.
BBC
BBC
Turner Syndrome Profile: Individuals with Turner syndrome are typically females who lack the testosterone-driven physical advantages found in biological males or some Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) conditions.
The Focus of New Rules: New rules from organizations like World Athletics focus on restricting athletes with a Y chromosome (often associated with 46,XY DSD) who have undergone male puberty.
Medical Exemption: Historically and currently, policies have recognized that individuals with Turner Syndrome do not have an unfair athletic advantage and are generally permitted to compete in the female category.
Ongoing Debates: While there are broad discussions about "protecting the female category" and potential genetic testing, the primary target of these regulations is the exclusion of individuals who have gone through male puberty, not cisgender females with Turner Syndrome.
BBC
BBC
+4

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Coup Droit


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They are no going to 'define' DSD, Jon

They are no going to have a list of DSD, and exclude those people

THey're simply going to base it off the SRY gene

If you have it, you're a man, for Olypmics purposes; if you don't, you're a woman

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/articles/cdj7dgvlj0no

"The IOC said eligibility for the female category would be determined by a screening to detect the SRY gene - the sex-determining region Y gene - which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop.

"The IOC considers that SRY gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods," it said.

"Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy's eligibility criteria for competition in the female category."



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JonH


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Coup Droit wrote:

They are no going to 'define' DSD, Jon

They are no going to have a list of DSD, and exclude those people

THey're simply going to base it off the SRY gene

If you have it, you're a man, for Olypmics purposes; if you don't, you're a woman

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/articles/cdj7dgvlj0no

"The IOC said eligibility for the female category would be determined by a screening to detect the SRY gene - the sex-determining region Y gene - which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop.

"The IOC considers that SRY gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods," it said.

"Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy's eligibility criteria for competition in the female category."

 thank you CD, that is good to hear.



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