Super Falcons vs Japan in October

[Enugu II]

That is what I have struggled with.
If they have higher than female testosterone levels, why not compete with men?

So, what are they banning her for? I am a bit confused. It not uncommon for men to have high estrogen levels. I’m sure some women might have high testosterone levels too. I’m no expert in this area so maybe you know better than me.

That's why I say it is contentious.
Its both a biological and ethical issue.
High testosterone is essentially a masculinizing or 'virilizing' male hormone and unnaturally high levels in women gives them an unfair advantage. The main advantage being increased muscle mass and therefore strength.
The ethical issue is that this occurs quite naturally in a few very peculiar individuals (Intersex for instance) who do not really fit into male/female gender classifications. But it is an anomaly but not their fault. It is 'natural' to them but 'unnaturally' high to probably 99.99% of women and probably higher even in women athletes stupid or dubious enough to use virilizing drugs.Its like using a performance-enhancing drug, only it occurs in them naturally.

So is it right to 'ban' them, or as has been the case elsewhere, to ask them to lower their testosterone levels.
Another argument is why do they not compete with males over whom they do not have an 'unnatural' advantage?
Note that it is the same hormone used in female-to-male transexual therapy, but in this case, the hormones exist naturally.

Otitokoro

Have you considered that the current use of men v women designation in sports is artificial and increasingly facing a relevance challenge. Sports is struggling to catch up with biological and scientific realities.

[jette1]

That is what I have struggled with.
If they have higher than female testosterone levels, why not compete with men?

So, what are they banning her for? I am a bit confused. It not uncommon for men to have high estrogen levels. I’m sure some women might have high testosterone levels too. I’m no expert in this area so maybe you know better than me.

That's why I say it is contentious.
Its both a biological and ethical issue.
High testosterone is essentially a masculinizing or 'virilizing' male hormone and unnaturally high levels in women gives them an unfair advantage. The main advantage being increased muscle mass and therefore strength.
The ethical issue is that this occurs quite naturally in a few very peculiar individuals (Intersex for instance) who do not really fit into male/female gender classifications. But it is an anomaly but not their fault. It is 'natural' to them but 'unnaturally' high to probably 99.99% of women and probably higher even in women athletes stupid or dubious enough to use virilizing drugs.Its like using a performance-enhancing drug, only it occurs in them naturally.

So is it right to 'ban' them, or as has been the case elsewhere, to ask them to lower their testosterone levels.
Another argument is why do they not compete with males over whom they do not have an 'unnatural' advantage?
Note that it is the same hormone used in female-to-male transexual therapy, but in this case, the hormones exist naturally.

Otitokoro

Have you considered that the current use of men v women designation in sports is artificial and increasingly facing a relevance challenge. Sports is struggling to catch up with biological and scientific realities.

And in the African context our politics, culture and sports are all struggling to catch up with science. And we wonder why playing field remain unleveled.

[iworo]