Unearthing the Complexities of Sex Testing Elite Female Athletes

Abstract

Sport is prone to debates of biological difference because it is a social space that relies on biology-based criteria for determining gender (McClearen 2015). This essay will explore the sexism, cissexism and racism facing female athletes as a result of sex testing testosterone levels in women. This essay defines sexism as discrimination based on the belief that a certain gender is inferior to another, in terms of skill, intelligence or ability. Mostly, sexism operates on the basis that women are the inferior gender to their male counterparts. Moreover, cissexism is defined as discrimination against those whose gender identity does not fit the binary social model, or discrimination based on someone not appearing to fit the binary social model based on their gender performance.  Firstly, the essay will analyse the fundamental flaws of sex testing in determining biological difference and how this practice is sexist. Secondly, it will discuss the impact of said sex testing and gender questioning on elite female athletes. Thirdly, it will analyse the racism apparent within sex testing. Lastly, it will consider the media’s role in perpetuating the evident sexism, cissexism and racism in sex testing, and the general over-sexualisation and criticism of female athletes.