The conversation around safety and fairness in women's sports reached new heights at the recent Olympic Games, where Imane Khelif and Lin Yu Ting won gold in boxing. Both athletes had previously been disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) over alleged gender eligibility issues—a decision that stirred significant debate when the IBA failed to present supporting evidence.
The IBA’s recognition had been revoked by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to governance issues, placing the IOC in charge of organizing and setting entry criteria for boxing at the Games in Paris.
Amid these developments, a scientific editorial in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports (SJMSS) proposed mandatory sex chromosome testing for female athletes, especially those with XY differences in sexual development (XY DSD). However, a second editorial, led by Professor Alun Williams from Manchester Metropolitan University, challenged this proposal on ethical grounds and questioned its operational feasibility.
The Williams group pointed out the lack of direct evidence showing a performance advantage for athletes with XY DSD, especially at the sub-elite level. They expressed concern that the call for early genetic testing could impact young athletes, including minors, and warned of potential psychological harm and issues around coercive consent. “Young athletes would not have a genuine choice if such testing becomes mandatory,” they argued.
The response, from sports scientist Ross Tucker and others, insisted that scientific evidence supports male-performance advantages in athletes with certain XY DSDs and argued that early screening could protect athletes’ privacy and dignity. They also clarified that they do not propose testing minors, suggesting instead that screening should be conducted early in an athlete's career to minimize ethical complications.
This contentious debate reflects the complex balance between ensuring fairness in women's sports and upholding athletes' rights and dignity. As Khelif has taken legal action in France over harassment during the Olympics, the call for broader discussions on regulatory approaches in sports grows stronger.
