Science and Unpacking the Boxing Controversy at the 2024 Olympics

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The 2024 Olympics in Paris became a focal point for one of the most heated debates in sports: the participation of athletes whose gender identity and biological sex do not align in traditional ways. The sight of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting standing on the medal podium sparked widespread discussion, fueled by their disqualification from the previous year’s Women's World Championships for not meeting eligibility criteria. The International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow them to compete in Paris reignited debates about gender, sex, and fairness in women’s sports.

 

Science has increasingly been called upon to shed light on the complexities of chromosomal make-up and the advantages they may confer in sports. However, this area of research is far from conclusive, and even among experts, interpretations of what science reveals are varied. The controversy surrounding Khelif and Lin underscores the challenges in navigating this terrain.

 

Sex determination begins in the early stages of fetal development. Typically, females possess two X chromosomes (XX), while males have an X and a Y chromosome (XY). These chromosomes play a pivotal role in determining a person’s sex, but hormones also significantly influence this process, both before birth and during puberty. Hormones guide the development of reproductive organs, shaping the biological characteristics that distinguish males from females.

 

However, not all individuals follow this typical pattern. Differences in sex development (DSD) are conditions involving genes, hormones, and reproductive organs that diverge from the norm. There are around 40 such conditions that can lead to variations in sex development, making it distinct from the majority of the population. Though rare, these chromosomal abnormalities have garnered attention due to their implications in sports, particularly in the context of the ongoing gender row at the Olympics.

 

The International Boxing Association's chief executive, Chris Roberts, revealed that both Khelif and Lin had undergone medical tests, which identified XY chromosomes in both cases. But this revelation is far from straightforward. The genetic variations associated with DSD are numerous and diverse, making it challenging to definitively categorize someone with a Y chromosome as male or without one as female. As Professor Alun Williams from the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, who studies genetic factors related to sports performance, explains, “Just looking at the presence of a Y chromosome on its own does not answer the question of whether someone is male or female. It’s obviously a very good marker, as most people with a Y chromosome are male…but it’s not a perfect indicator.”

 

For some individuals with DSD, the Y chromosome may not be fully developed or may be altered, with genetic material missing, damaged, or swapped with the X chromosome. The presence of a specific gene known as SRY, or the "sex-determining region of the Y chromosome," is often crucial in determining male or female characteristics. Dr. Emma Hilton, a developmental biologist and trustee of the Sex Matters charity, which advocates for further testing of Khelif and Lin before allowing them to compete, describes SRY as the "make-male" gene. “This is what is called the make-male gene. It’s the master switch of sex development,” she says. However, some individuals with XY chromosomes may lose this "make-male" gene, leading to the development of female anatomy despite the presence of XY chromosomes.

 

Therefore, identifying XY chromosomes alone does not provide a complete picture. In the cases of Khelif and Lin, the International Boxing Association has not disclosed the details of their testing methods. Dr. Hilton acknowledges that in most people with XY chromosomes, the SRY gene is present, which typically leads to the development of male characteristics during puberty, including the production of testosterone—a hormone that underpins male advantages in sports. The most famous example of this is Caster Semenya, a double Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion in the 800 meters, though Professor Alun Williams points out that there is no direct evidence proving that athletes with DSD possess the same advantages as typical males.

 

In some cases, a mutation within a gene required to form external male genitalia may prevent its development, leading individuals with XY chromosomes to develop female anatomy instead. These individuals may not have female reproductive organs, such as a cervix or uterus, and may not experience menstruation or be able to conceive. For some, discovering such genetic mutations can be a life-altering shock. Claus Højbjerg Gravholt, an endocrinology professor at Aarhus University who has spent three decades studying DSD, recalls a patient who discovered she had XY chromosomes at the age of 33 after struggling with infertility. “We discovered she didn’t have a uterus, so she would never be able to have a baby. She was absolutely devastated,” Gravholt says. He notes that many individuals with DSD face profound psychological challenges, often requiring referral to a psychologist.

 

Gravholt emphasizes that many DSD cases remain undiagnosed, partly due to cultural stigmas surrounding discussions of female anatomy and a lack of education in some regions. This means comprehensive data on DSD prevalence is scarce. However, Gravholt cites data from Denmark, where approximately one in 15,000 females are found to have XY chromosomes, and when considering all genetic conditions, around one in 300 people are affected. “We are learning that these variations are more common than we thought,” he says. 

 

The ongoing gender controversy in sports, particularly at the Olympics, raises crucial questions about fairness and advantage. Professor Alun Williams suggests that while some individuals with DSD may have physical advantages, such as increased muscle mass, longer bones, and higher levels of blood haemoglobin, the extent of these advantages varies depending on the type of DSD and its genetic cause. He believes more evidence is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

 

When it comes to athletes like Khelif and Lin, insufficient information is available to determine whether their DSD requires regulation. The binary male-female categories typically relied upon in elite sports competitions are complicated by the complexities of biological sex, which is not exclusively binary. Dr. Shane Heffernan, who has a Ph.D. in molecular genetics in elite sports, is currently working on a paper examining athletes’ perspectives on competitors with DSD. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of each individual’s genetic condition. For instance, females with androgen insensitivity syndrome have XY chromosomes and produce testosterone, but their bodies are unable to process it, meaning they do not gain the same benefits as males do from the hormone.

 

Dr. Heffernan argues that there are not enough studied athletes with DSD to conclusively determine whether they have a competitive advantage or whether they should be eligible to compete in female categories. He criticizes the International Olympic Committee for not basing its eligibility criteria on the best available science, warning that the assumption of no advantage lacks direct evidence. “We simply don’t have enough data. Many people hold an emotional position when it comes to inclusion in the female category, but how can the IOC justify this position—without the data to support it?” Dr. Heffernan is among those urging the Olympics committee, international federations, and funding councils to invest in research on athletes with DSD. However, he acknowledges the challenges in conducting such research, given the stigma associated with these conditions.

 

The debate over mandatory sex testing at the Olympics has also gained momentum, with figures like Reem Alsalem, the UN’s special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, advocating for such measures. Dr. Emma Hilton supports the idea of DNA screening, which she argues is now relatively straightforward and minimally invasive, using a simple cheek swab. She suggests that such testing should occur when athletes first register for competition to avoid the spotlight that falls on them after winning medals. However, there is disagreement among scientists on this issue. Professor Alun Williams contends that a cheek swab alone is insufficient for reaching a robust conclusion about an individual’s sex and potential sports advantage. He argues that a comprehensive sex test should include genetic analysis (including the presence of the Y chromosome and the SRY gene), hormone levels (including testosterone), and the body’s responsiveness to hormones like testosterone.

 

Professor Williams acknowledges the logistical and ethical challenges associated with such testing. He points out that it can be expensive, requires specialized expertise, and raises ethical concerns, particularly given the invasive nature of some aspects of the testing process, which can be humiliating for athletes.

 

Credit: BBC  2024-08-10

 

 

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[thesetat2013]

Seems they know enough about the topic but have failed to utilize it to determine if the person has male or female athletic traits. The way it reads makes me think that sometimes in the future countries will/could manipulate this to gain the advantage in sports competitions. Creating an advantage for their competitors. 

[Aforek]

May be a woman, but this Algerian boxer, even if not built like a man, has a man's face : no femininity  at all 

 

[herfiehandbag]

It is fundamentally quite simple. You can unpack it as much as you like.

 

The Olympic boxing authorities have bowed to pressure to allow two males, competing as women, to win gold and silver medals in the women's welterweight class.

 

Boxing, as a sport for girls, is over.

[klauskunkel]

how to stop this squabbling: It's women's sports, so let women athletes decide how inclusive they want to make their sport. Done.

[cncltd1973]

men win again. remember when Caitlin Jenner won woman of the year award? proof that men can be better at being a woman

[Hayduke]

 

 

Waiting for a Lamborghini (who identifies as a horse) to win the Kentucky Derby….

 

 

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, Aforek said:

May be a woman, but this Algerian boxer, even if not built like a man, has a man's face : no femininity  at all 

 

They both look like blokes to me. 

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

Boxing, as a sport for girls, is over.

Certainty not in the Gypsy/Traveler communities. They would never allow them to compete.

[Aforek]

4 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

how to stop this squabbling: It's women's sports, so let women athletes decide how inclusive they want to make their sport. Done.

 

Two females boxers, after their defeat, made an "X" with their fingers, it's mean that being " female xx ", they don't like to have an " xy " opponent