An other/open category in sport

Let’s protect the integrity of women’s sport by shoving them all in the men’s category instead. 🤦‍♂️

Would it not be More simpler to just have trans man and trans woman categories?
 
Let’s protect the integrity of women’s sport by shoving them all in the men’s category instead. 🤦‍♂️

Would it not be More simpler to just have trans man and trans woman categories?
No. There would be complaints that it didn't get the coverage even though they couldn't put out a competitive field.

The only "equal" solution is to do away with all categories and just have a single open category for everyone. Wouldn't be good for women obviously but it would be fair.
 
The only "equal" solution is to do away with all categories and just have a single open category for everyone. Wouldn't be good for women obviously but it would be fair.
Lets do away with weight divisions in boxing as well while we're at it...

Sport has always had different categories for different abilities - there's a whole olympics for para-athletes.

It's a solved problem.
 
It’s a follow the science type thing, only the scientists can’t quite agree on how much reducing/eliminating testosterone reduces performance after going through puberty.

It is a difficult one. After all, if testosterone isn’t a factor then surely trans men (female to make) should be allowed to compete in female athletics. You can’t have double standards.
 
Although I do agree that any advantage should be a natural advantage and not one due to drugs etc.

I think I’m just disappointed that once again we seem to be creating division in society, although I understand the reasons I can’t agree with them ( think most of you know I have a transgender female daughter and it’s just so hard for her and other transgender people to try and live in a ‘normal’ society)

Check out the suicide rates and categories for the rainbow community and trans gender in particular.
 
I already have "open" and "Female" categories in fell races that I organise, as do quite a few others. It's the only way forward really.

I might add that women do actually win in the Open category from time to time.

I think the UKA proposal is the best solution, even if it's regarded as imprefect by some. We already have age categories and, as some have pointed out, an entire Games for para sports.

It's tricky though. The Pistorius and Semenya cases illustrate what a minefield it can be.
 
Lets do away with weight divisions in boxing as well while we're at it...

Sport has always had different categories for different abilities - there's a whole olympics for para-athletes.

It's a solved problem.
I don't think a single open category is the right solution but it is the only possible solution that is 100% fair and equal.

Although I do agree that any advantage should be a natural advantage and not one due to drugs etc.

I think I’m just disappointed that once again we seem to be creating division in society, although I understand the reasons I can’t agree with them ( think most of you know I have a transgender female daughter and it’s just so hard for her and other transgender people to try and live in a ‘normal’ society)

Check out the suicide rates and categories for the rainbow community and trans gender in particular.
I think it just has to be expected that 99% of the things that they want to do can be done without issue but elite level sport is probably not going to be one of them.
 
We had a tragic instance in the fell racing community a few years ago when a "female" athlete (who was very good, multiple race winner), who quite a few people suspected of being trans, went to UK athletics headquarters and attempted to murder (violently stabbed) the head of welfare, who was investigating her eligablity to race as a woman. It's an example of just how radically one individual's view of their situation might be at variance with the prevailing regulatory framework.
 
I think it just has to be expected that 99% of the things that they want to do can be done without issue but elite level sport is probably not going to be one of them.
It's not just elite level sport though.

It's the pyramid and the route from e.g. college sports (in the US) to the Olympic teams.

A single open category causes further problems such as Paula Radcliffe's marathon world record not counting because she had a male pacemaker. The IAAF now recognises two best times for females.

If a trans-woman competes but then denies a female world record by dint of being in the competition (even if they don't win) then that female should have the right to not have that opportunity taken away.

There are no do-overs. Erring on the side of caution harms the fewest people.
 
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There's got to be trans events, the only fair way.

Yep only sensible answer

No. There would be complaints that it didn't get the coverage even though they couldn't put out a competitive field.

The only "equal" solution is to do away with all categories and just have a single open category for everyone. Wouldn't be good for women obviously but it would be fair.

There is still not fair coverage between male and female sports… why should trans be any different
 
No. There would be complaints that it didn't get the coverage even though they couldn't put out a competitive field.

The only "equal" solution is to do away with all categories and just have a single open category for everyone. Wouldn't be good for women obviously but it would be fair.
It would be neither safe or fair.
 
Have to say I agree you should compete in the category of the sex you were born.
The advantages are not just about testosterone levels but also about other factors like height. Men are generally taller than women so would naturally have an advantage in certain sports.

I remember watching a documentary where Martina Navratilova was presenting about trans athletes in various sports and one of the examples was regarding tennis player Renée Richards. She was 6ft 1in tall playing tennis against females who would have been a lot shorter than her. She was a decent tennis player as a man but not good enough for top 40 rankings yet went on to be a top 20 female player. Not that it was the reason for transition but the advantage she had despite the arguments for the testosterone suppressant was evident. Her height alone gave her an unfair advantage of a longer reach, more momentum on her serve.

I understand some feel trapped in the wrong body and it’s sad to think people have to go through that. As suggested maybe a separate category needs to be created but then I suppose that singles them out and maybe we don’t have that many trans people who want to compete in sports.
 
You don’t need to put female in inverted commas borolad259 if indeed they were transgender, in which case their gender is female. If they were not transgender then they are male gender.

Also message to all, please do not mix up gender and sex, the 2 are different.

Finally, yes let’s have a decision that effects/penalises the least number of people rather than trying to be inclusive. We should maybe run all of our decisions like this ey? It’s not a nice thing to do but heck it effects the least number of people.

Nice.
 
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