Gender Matters: Insights from a Physician

Should transgender women athletes be allowed to compete in women's sports?

Dr Shannon Season 1 Episode 30

I explore the complex question of whether transgender women athletes should compete in women's sports, from recreational leagues to the Olympics. Discover diverse perspectives, current regulations in sports organizations, and the historical context of transgender athletes in the Olympics. I also discuss the definitions of how we currently define the categories, fairness in sports, and propose solutions to these challenges. 

Tune in until the end for my answer to this question. 

This episode is perfect for those interested in gender nuances, sports fairness, and inclusion.

* History of transgender athletes in the Olympics: https://www.transathlete.com/olympics
* Research study looking at testosterone in elite athletes (Sönksen PH, Holt RIG, Böhning W, Guha N, Cowan DA, Bartlett C, Böhning D. Why do endocrine profiles in elite athletes differ between sports? Clin Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018 Feb 7;4:3. doi: 10.1186/s40842-017-0050-3. PMID: 29445518; PMCID: PMC5804043.): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5804043/
*NCAA stats: https://www.nfhs.org/media/886012/recruiting-fact-sheet-web.pdf

00:00 Introduction: The Complex Question of Transgender Women in Sports
01:05 Diverse Perspectives and Regulations
02:04 Scientific Uncertainties and Fairness
03:53 Historical Context of Transgender Athletes in the Olympics
09:14 Defining Fairness in Sports
20:11 The Goals of Sports at Different Levels
24:31 Proposed Solutions and Final Thoughts

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