Introduction
Women have always competed with men but generally stuck to their gender group. However, this has now changed because of the involvement of transpeople in women’s sports, making women and girls feel pressured. Biological and social benefits force fewer and fewer women to participate in the “big” game. It also leads to social stratification and even more transphobia.
Arguments
First of all, it should be considered the IOC rules and how they changed through years and why. It started with a change in 2003 when the IOC only allowed transgender people to participate in the Olympics. At first, the rules were strange and incomplete, but now many believe that they are absurd because they continue to preserve the advantages of transgender people over women.
Second, a study of testosterone levels shows that the existing IOC rules are not correct. Testosterone in transgender women is used for different purposes than in cisgender women: for example, it goes to muscle and lung strength times more than in women. This proves that biological advantages are not erased during the hormonal transition and continue to affect speed and endurance. This is not fair and is seen as an additional injustice.
Third, the social aspect of transpersonal participation in women’s sports significantly affects teenagers and children. Many states have been found to redistribute quotas from the “girl” pool for transperson athletic scholarships. Sociologists have found that this affects children’s desire to participate in games and to continue playing sports such as running or soccer. Also, in big sports, the news of a transperson on a girls’ team is perceived more sharply, despite the outcome.
Counterarguments
The main counterargument of proponents of transpeople participation in women’s sports is that there is no proven link between biology and endurance. Much research on testosterone and hemoglobin levels confirms otherwise, and this argument does not work. Proponents also argue that no man would want to experience a gender transition to outshine women. However, cases of gender transition to get into women’s spaces (e.g., prison or women’s locker rooms in schools) prove that the chance is relatively high.