Athletes endure tough road to full acceptance
Better public education is the key for critics of trans athletes, writes Olivia Caldwell.
(CAS). The CAS ruled there was evidence that high testosterone levels do increase lean body mass, creating a competitive advantage and the IAAF must produce sufficient evidence about the relationship between enhanced testosterone levels and improved athletic performance.
They suspended the 10 NMOLl/ L ruling, and DSD women were allowed to compete without hormone therapy to lower testosterone levels.
Earlier this year, British Journal of Sports Medicine scientists Stephane Bermon and GETTY IMAGES Pierre-Yves Garnier found there was statistically significant differences in the performance of higher testosterone female athletes versus lower testosterone athletes at the 2011 and 2013 International Athletics Federation World Championships across five separate events.
However there has been no change on the suspension of the 10 NMOL/L threshold for DSD athletes – but in the meantime, the new regulations for transgender women were set. Meaning trans gender athletes and DSD athletes are at odds also. AUCKLAND University professor and former sports journalist Toni Bruce has backed Laurel Hubbard’s selection in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games weightlifting team.
She says doubters need educating on the process of transitioning from man to woman or woman to man.
Competing as Gavin Hubbard before her gender transition, Hubbard was a junior men’s national record holder in the 105 kg + category.
This year Hubbard won gold in the 90kg+ womens category at the Australian Open in Melbourne, becoming the first trans woman to win an international weightlifting title for New Zealand.
Hubbard meets national and international eligibility requirements to compete, but her position in the women’s category has been racked with controversy, with competitors and officials claiming the competition is unfair.
Bruce said these claims had no grounds and it was important the sporting public was well informed on the issue.
‘‘There has been some discussion that Laurel has a psychological advantage because she previously competed in weightlifting as a man.
‘‘What these kinds of comments don’t take into account is that her body has changed in many ways through the process of transitioning.’’
During a feminising transition, a man’s testosterone levels are significantly lowered through hormone therapy and medication.
For Hubbard to compete in the female category at the games or international events she has to meet International Olympic Committee (IOC) regulations and NZ Olympic Committee standards, which both outline a limit of 10 nanomoles per litre of testosterone for at least 12 months before competition.
Bruce said while the criterion was clear, the tradition of men and women’s sport being separated made the subject topical.
Transgender athletes competing in an all-women or all-men events can blur those lines, she said.
‘‘Historically, and I think even today, there is a level of concern that mostly circulates around athletes who transition from male to female.
‘‘This comes from the deeply held belief that men are stronger and faster than women, suggesting a transgender woman would have some unfair advantage over other female competitors.
‘‘Of course, this belief doesn’t take into account the huge variation REUTERS within and between genders in terms of strength, power, flexibility, endurance, testosterone levels, etc.’’
While men who transition to female are often tested, the women who transition to men are not. This amplifies the commonly held view that men are superior physically and therefore superior in sport, Bruce said.
‘‘The belief that women are slower and weaker than men is so strong that we assume a female would lose to a male so there’s no concern that she would have an unfair advantage.’’
In 2015, the IOC concluded the minimal requirement for a female to participate of 10 nmol/L limit was enough.
Prof Bruce said the guidelines may be too simplistic, as many female athletes naturally have higher testosterone levels.
‘‘The ability to compete in male or female events is defined by the rules of the sport, which can sometimes negatively impact athletes whose normal levels of hormones fall outside the norms set by the sports themselves.’’
In 2009, South African runner Caster Semenya was also scrutinised over her athletic ability and masculine physique after winning the 800m gold at the world champs.
Semenya was raised as a girl, but a chromosomal abnormality she wasn’t aware of led to an initial ban in 2009 and criticism.