Women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics has brought attention to the challenges of establishing and enforcing eligibility rules based on sex for women’s sports, leaving athletes like Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan in a vulnerable position. The history of sex eligibility testing in women’s sports dates back to the 1960s when visual examinations were used to verify athletes’ sex.
The modern era of eligibility rules began in 2009 following the rise of South African runner Caster Semenya, who faced scrutiny due to her natural testosterone levels. Despite being an Olympic champion, Semenya is currently excluded from competing in Paris unless she lowers her testosterone levels. She has been engaged in a legal battle against track regulations for seven years.
Eligibility for female participation in Olympic events is primarily based on testosterone levels rather than chromosomes, especially for athletes with differences of sex development (DSD). DSD conditions can lead to higher testosterone levels in some women, which has raised questions about fairness in sports. Caster Semenya, who has a DSD condition, has faced public scrutiny and legal challenges over her eligibility.
Various sports bodies have different approaches to sex verification testing, with each governing body responsible for establishing its own rules. Since the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, there has been a tightening of eligibility rules for female athletes with DSD conditions in sports like track and field and aquatics. These rules aim to create a level playing field while ensuring the safety of all athletes.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) oversees the Olympic Charter but individual governing bodies of sports manage their own athlete eligibility rules. The IOC provides guidance on gender and sex inclusion, emphasizing the need for a safe and harassment-free environment while maintaining fairness in competitions. However, the IOC has had challenges with the International Boxing Association (IBA), which led to boxing eligibility issues at the Paris Games.
Athletes like Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the 2023 world championships by the IBA due to failed eligibility tests, sparking controversy over the testing methods and lack of transparency. This incident has shed light on the ongoing challenges in establishing fair and respectful gender eligibility rules in sports.
Athletes like Caster Semenya and Dutee Chand have challenged established eligibility rules, leading to legal battles and discussions on gender inclusion in sports. The outcomes of these cases could have implications for how sports bodies handle sex eligibility in the future.
