Caster Semenya, South Africa’s “Golden girl” is in big controversy now. She won gold medal in 800 meters middle distance run in World Athletics championship being held in Berlin now. But more than being happy, she is more depressed and ashamed of the media glare. Reason, controversy regarding her sex. Ever since she clocked 1:56.72 (world record) at the African junior championships in Mauritius, she became the cenre of attention leading to lot of hues and cries. Now International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) wants to conduct gender test on her.
I wasn’t aware of any of this kind of a test, until I saw news clipping about her in CNN a few days ago. Later as I went on reading about gender tests, causes and the complications, no full proof method available to ascertain one ambiguous person as either female or male, I was baffled. What a complicated biological system we have. Itseems, it is very difficult to classify one as female or male!!!. Very ironical, isn’t it? but , it’s true. Generally the gender tests include gynecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and internal medicine specialists etc. In theory who ever has 43XX chromosomes, she is female and one with 43XY is male. But neither it is that simple nor it is black and white. Almost every 1:1000 people have mixed genitals, many times so underdeveloped that, it is not even visible to ordinary eyes. Until and unless, these people enter into competitions where single sex is participated, or goto doctor for some serious issues, they just go unnoticed. Many have “Androgen insensitivity syndrome” (AIS) This condition includes the existence of a 'Y' chromosome in phenotypic females (typically only associated with a male genotype) and results in an inability to respond to Androgens (Testosterone - male hormone is a androgen). In some serious cases, this unresponsiveness leads to a female body without female internal sex organs. Although the body produces testosterone, it does not react to the hormone since Androgen receptor is mutated. Anyway these are the theories. What happens when these theories stand in front of us as living examples?
Caster Semenya’s results are due in few weeks or months. What will be the fate of her medal or even her future sports career (She is just 18 !!!). I think, failing gender test is worse than failing doping test. South African athletics authorities claim that, they have done all tests and there is no ambiguity of her sex and there is nothing unusual about her. I feel sorry for her. Growing up in an impoverished family, her only dream was to make it to the top in sports world. She and many thousands like her, are born with these conditions (deep voice, facial hair, masculine feature etc etc ). Most of the times, their condition is natural, not due to intake of any steroid. But still have to undergo this humiliating scrutiny throughout their life…..
In sports, one should be clearly a male or female. I completely understand that, if one is phenotypically female, but still has some male features, then it gives them a clear edge over other female competitors in the field. But what if one is transsexual / intersex and still interested in sports??? What about them? For handicaps, there is Paralympics, but for these people? Do we get to see another Olympics for them? Is world ready for it???
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Our own Santhi Soundarajan was stripped of a silver medal won at the 2006 Asian games since she failed in gender verification test. She even attempted suicide due to so much of societal pressure and humiliation in India. Later she gave up active sports and now is a coach in her sports academy mentoring the young aspirants.
I wasn’t aware of any of this kind of a test, until I saw news clipping about her in CNN a few days ago. Later as I went on reading about gender tests, causes and the complications, no full proof method available to ascertain one ambiguous person as either female or male, I was baffled. What a complicated biological system we have. Itseems, it is very difficult to classify one as female or male!!!. Very ironical, isn’t it? but , it’s true. Generally the gender tests include gynecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and internal medicine specialists etc. In theory who ever has 43XX chromosomes, she is female and one with 43XY is male. But neither it is that simple nor it is black and white. Almost every 1:1000 people have mixed genitals, many times so underdeveloped that, it is not even visible to ordinary eyes. Until and unless, these people enter into competitions where single sex is participated, or goto doctor for some serious issues, they just go unnoticed. Many have “Androgen insensitivity syndrome” (AIS) This condition includes the existence of a 'Y' chromosome in phenotypic females (typically only associated with a male genotype) and results in an inability to respond to Androgens (Testosterone - male hormone is a androgen). In some serious cases, this unresponsiveness leads to a female body without female internal sex organs. Although the body produces testosterone, it does not react to the hormone since Androgen receptor is mutated. Anyway these are the theories. What happens when these theories stand in front of us as living examples?
Caster Semenya’s results are due in few weeks or months. What will be the fate of her medal or even her future sports career (She is just 18 !!!). I think, failing gender test is worse than failing doping test. South African athletics authorities claim that, they have done all tests and there is no ambiguity of her sex and there is nothing unusual about her. I feel sorry for her. Growing up in an impoverished family, her only dream was to make it to the top in sports world. She and many thousands like her, are born with these conditions (deep voice, facial hair, masculine feature etc etc ). Most of the times, their condition is natural, not due to intake of any steroid. But still have to undergo this humiliating scrutiny throughout their life…..
In sports, one should be clearly a male or female. I completely understand that, if one is phenotypically female, but still has some male features, then it gives them a clear edge over other female competitors in the field. But what if one is transsexual / intersex and still interested in sports??? What about them? For handicaps, there is Paralympics, but for these people? Do we get to see another Olympics for them? Is world ready for it???
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Our own Santhi Soundarajan was stripped of a silver medal won at the 2006 Asian games since she failed in gender verification test. She even attempted suicide due to so much of societal pressure and humiliation in India. Later she gave up active sports and now is a coach in her sports academy mentoring the young aspirants.
very sensitive article, posing very right questions. Nicely written too.
ReplyDeleteKeep Writing...
Thanks for reading it and encouraging words Guru. Any suggestions and critics are always welcome....
ReplyDeleteWill keep writing :)