Challenges Faced By Female Athletes With Elevated Testosterone Levels In Global Sports
Author: LawSphereX
Category: General Law
Published:
Updated:
CHALLENGES
FACED BY FEMALE ATHLETES WITH ELEVATED TESTOSTERONE LEVELS IN GLOBAL SPORTS Dhanushree Sharma, IILM University, Gurgaon Chahat Sharma, Government College of Education, Canal Road, Jammu
1 INTRODUCTION
Today, many female athletes face issues because of a hormone called testosterone which is highly mis conceptualized to a male hormone, which is not entirely false but this hormone is also present in the females and certainly in a much higher level in female athletes but still lower than males. This naturally occurring higher testosterone level in a female athlete has exposed them to many challenges. Taking the example of Indian sprinter Dutee who suffers from the production of naturally high testosterone (Hyperandrogenism)and was denied from competing against women only because her testosterone levels exceeded the guidelines for female athletes, she fought a not so beautiful legal battle and got the verdict in her favour.
She is just one example but there are and were many who have faced so many heartbreaking challenges due to high testosterone levels naturally producing in their bodies. What needs to be known is that this problem of hyperandrogenism is due to many underlying medical conditions: CONGENTIAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA (CAH), POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS), DISORDER OF SEX DEVELOPMENT (DSD), and many more. The issues dealt by such athletes are many folded from a pressure of complying with the regulations of sports governing bodies like the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETIC FEDERATION and THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, which many require such athletes to lower their levels just to compete in the events or to choose other events where such levels would not matter. This also brings out many questions about fairness, their gender identities and the concept of equality in sports.
Additionally, there are many psychological, legal, ethical, and medical challenges that are being faced by such women, which we will further discuss in this paper. Also, the most heart-breaking phase when a biological female has to defend their identities only for the justification that they do not fall into society’s narrow concept of being feminine, due to the high testosterone levels making them in the eyes of society a little different, all of this pulling them into depression, lessening their motive, and feeling the desire to be more feminine. Also not to overlook the fact that such athletes are labelled as transgender, which brings about many speculations around them, constant scrutiny by the public and the media, bullying, all of these creating hurdles in their games.
2. ELEVATED LEVEL OF TESTOSTERONE AND ITS ROLE IN FEMALE
ATHLEATHES BODIES: Men’s testes are the primary source of testosterone, a male hormone. Women’s ovaries and adrenal glands also produce testosterone to a lower degree. Despite being found in both sexes, it is categorized as an androgen, a hormone that encourages the development of male traits. NORMALE LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE In males it ranges between 300 to 1000 ng/dl In females it ranges between 15 to 70 ng/d1 The naturally occurring high blood testosterone levels of female athletes are frequently the subject of controversy. These athletes are exposed to high levels of testosterone throughout their lives, which is linked to significant physiological differences, such as increased production of muscle and red blood cells, which may give them a competitive edge.
Top female athletes are more likely to have higher testosterone levels and more severe and uncommon illnesses that raise these levels, according to the results of a study presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Endocrinology2. These results raise concerns about how to maintain fair competition in women’s sports and imply that increased testosterone levels can improve women’s physical performance to levels more akin to male physiology. 1 Steni Simon, High testosterone levels can impact the performance of women athlets ( 16th august, 2024) https://www. happiesthealth. com/articles/womens-wellness/impact-of-high-testosterone-levels-in-womenathletes 2 Setting fair regulations for top female athletes that have naturally higher testosterone levels ( May 2019) https://www. bioscientifica.
com/news/press/setting-fair-regulations-for-top-female-athletes-that-havenaturallyhigher-testosterone-levels/ Several reasons why women may have elevated testosterone levels. -Women with polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS]3 have higher than normal testosterone levels, which can cause a variety of physical symptoms like acne, excessive body hair, and irregular menstruation. Athletes with these elevated levels can also have an advantage in sports because testosterone promotes muscle growth and strength, among other things. However, this is not widely acknowledged because PCOS can also have a detrimental effect on athletes’ performance. -Athletes with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)4, a genetic disease affecting the adrenal glands that results in excessive testosterone production, may have an edge in physical performance due to their increased muscle mass and stamina.
Although some athletes have naturally high testosterone levels, others may be observed taking testosterone supplements or other drugs that improve their strength and endurance. However, these substances are prohibited in the majority of sports because they give unfair advantages. In an effort to stop athletes from inflating their testosterone levels, stricter doping regulations have been implemented recently. -Additionally, some women may have a genetic tendency that leads to increased natural testosterone production due to genetic reasons. Some female athletes with DSD disorder of sex development have naturally high blood testosterone concentrations; this is a result of lifetime exposure to higher levels of testosterone than cis women without DSD, which causes physiological changes.
It describes situations in which a person’s sexual anatomy or reproduction does not conform to the conventional concept of male or female. Because of these intersex disorders that impact hormone production, female athletes may have increased testosterone levels. Women with DSD experience Hyperandrogenism, which leads to naturally elevated testosterone levels. The impact of testosterone on the athletic performance of female athletes The question of whether female athletes with naturally high testosterone levels perform better or not is still up for debate. While practice, hard work, lifestyle, and other factors all affect an
3 Jayne Leonard, What causes high testosterone in women? ( October 26, 2023)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321292
4 Jayne Leonard, What causes high testosterone in women? ( October 26, 2023)
https://www. medicalnewstoday. com/articles/321292 athlete’s performance, it is undeniable that high testosterone levels do affect performance in some way. Testosterone plays a major role in the synthesis of red blood cells, which enhances the transport of oxygen to muscles and can result in increased stamina, particularly in sports like cycling and running, which helps maintain energy and postpone exhaustion5. High testosterone levels may have an effect on faster muscle recovery following severe exercise; this might encourage athletes to train harder, which helps them continue frequent training sessions and achieve peak performance. High testosterone is frequently associated with the development of a high degree of mental toughness, confidence, and competitiveness; female athletes who have elevated testosterone levels may report feeling more motivated and focused.
This is a psychological advantage that is very important when under a lot of pressure. Point to be taken in consideration that there is no direct relation between only high testosterone and performance of the athletes that could prove, the high testosterone being the reason for the advantageous edge, female athlete with elevated testosterone could have because the performance of any athlete is always dependent upon their handwork, their diet, genetics, the skills they possess. 6 All of the above-mentioned points might feel like an advantage to the female athletes but the regulations that sports organisations have set for such female athletes are rather disadvantageous. Not forgetting the challenges faced by these athletes on so many levels which we will discuss in upcoming chapters.
Further to come to the conclusion, Studies shows that not all the female athletes with elevated testosterone levels could get benefitted from such condition, which bring the issue of more scientific research that needs to be done to come to certain conclusion. 7
5 Angelica Linden Hirschberg, Hyperandrogensim in Female Athletes, 104 J. Cli. Endo. Meta 505-505,
(2018) 6 Silver Lin, Problems of Proof for the Ban on Female Athletes with Endogenously High Testosterone Levels, J. Int’L. 217, (2019-2020) 7 Peter Sonksen, ) Medical and Ethical Concerns Regarding Women with Hyperandrogenism and Elite Sport,100 The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 825-827, (2015) 3. TESTOSTERONE REGULATIONS Sports organisations like world athletics have established testosterone regulations for women athletes that would ensure fairness in women’s competitions. High testosterone levels that influence the athletic performance of the athletes, these rules focus on its impact. Some athletes with high levels of testosterone levels, mostly with DSD may have levels that exceeds the range that is typically in females.
so, these regulations bound female athletes require them to lower their testosterone level if they want to still compete in the games where the testosterone levels influence the performance the most. These rules do spark many debates abouts the infringement upon athletes’ rights but to maintain a fair competition these rules are necessary to create a level playing field in women’s categories. Hyperandrogenism regulations (India, 2013) Indian government ‘Hyperandrogenism restrictions’ [10] were more stringent than those issued by the IAAF in 2013. “Intersex female sports persons with elevated androgen production give rise to a particular concern,” according to these laws. According to the regulations, intersex athletes could compete if their testosterone level was less than 2 nmol/L.
If it was higher, they would be evaluated by a medical panel that would consider things like undescended testes and the absence of secondary female sexual characteristics. IAAF regulations (2018)8 The IAAF released new Eligibility Regulations for Female Classification (Athlete with Differences of Sexual Development) for 400-meter, hurdles, 800-, 1500-, and one-mile races, as well as combined events over the same distances (referred to as “Restricted Events”) for female athletes. In order to compete in Restricted Events at an International Competition (or set a world record in a Restricted Event at a competition that is not an International Competition), athletes with a Difference of Sexual Development (DSD), which means that their levels of circulating
8 IAAF introduces new eligibility regulations for female classification
https://worldathletics. org/news/pressrelease/eligibility-regulations-for-female-classifica testosterone (in serum) are five (5) nmol/L or above, and who are androgensensitive must meet the following requirements, according to the new regulations: She needs to be legally recognized as either intersex or female. she must utilize hormonal contraceptives or other methods to continuously lower her blood testosterone level to less than five (5) nmol/L for at least six months; and After that, she must consistently keep her blood testosterone level below five (5) nmol/L for as long as she wants to be eligible, regardless of whether she is competing or not.
Female athletes who choose not to reduce their testosterone levels can still participate in: The classification for women: In all track, field, and combined events, including restricted events, at tournaments that are not international competitions; and In all track, field, and combined events in international competitions, excluding restricted events; or In the male division, in all track, field, and combined events, including restricted events, at all tournaments (international or otherwise); or in all Track Events, Field Events, and Combined Events, including the Restricted Events, at all competitions (international or otherwise), In any applicable intersex or comparable classification that may be offered. C).
IOC REGULATIONS The international Olympic committee has also established guiding regulations regarding female athletes those who have naturally elevated testosterone levels and specifically for athletes with difference in sexual development (DSD). Committee 1st published its framework in 2015 but have revised them to outline the eligibility criteria for female athletes with high testosterone levels for competing in women’s events. According to the guidelines such athletes are required to show their levels are below a specified threshold which is 5nmol/l.
Additionally, to maintain eligibility, the female players must keep their testosterone levels below the specified limits for a period of time which is usually 12 months prior to competition. IOC guidelines also has given liberation to individual sports federation to alter rules as per their competitive contexts. This also could result in enforcement of either stricter or more lenient rules regarding testosterone levels. IOC also presents separate policies for transgender athletes. These transgender women (male to female) also need to meet specific testosterone limits which is typically 10 nmol/l or lower for a specified period prior to the competition. Some instances of the female athletes who have suffered because of the stringent rules:
1) SOUTH AFERICA- CASTER SEMENYA9
Semenya, south African middle-distance runner and also a two-time Olympic gold medallist 800m, has naturally high testosterone because of DSD, has been under a lot of scrutiny and has been facing eligibility challenges. Under the world athletics rules of 2018, she is needed to lower her testosterone if she wants to compete in the middle-distance events. The required rule for the same is to have or maintain testosterone levels below 5nmol/l. In 2018 she contested the regulations in the court of arbitration for sports, arguing those rules to be discriminatory against her rights. But in 2019, CAS ruled against Semenya, maintaining world athletic regulations. CAS further elaborated that the discrimination was necessary, and reasonable just to ensure the fairness in sports.
She further appealed in Swiss federal supreme court against the decision of CAS, which first suspended the regulations but then again reenforced then stating a lack of jurisdiction, now her case is going on in the European court of human rights.
9 Judges to hear Semaya Case before final ruling (13 May 2024)
https://www. bbc. com/sport/athletics/articles/cd188y15n4eo INDIA – DUTEE CHAND10 Another athlete, Indian printer Dutee Chand was banned in 2014 from competition due to elevated testosterone levels due to hyperandrogenism. In 2015 she appealed to CAS challenging the scientific basic of the hyperandrogenism policy, there was the suspension of these regulations due to not sufficient evidence that could link elevated testosterone to an improved performance in game and CAS ruled in her favour. World Athletics was also forced to revise its policy and to focus on those events where testosterone could affect the performance. And because of this there was the introduction of 2018 targeted testosterone guidelines.
Dutee case made a history with her courageous decision to challenge a policy she felt was unfair to her and all the athletes It’s a victory for women’s equality in sports and I’m thrilled she can just now run BURUNDI- FRANCINE NIYONSABA11 Is a Burundian 800m runner, also silver medallist in Olympic. Due to DSD, she also suffered from naturally high testosterone levels. 2018 world athletics regulations affected her just like Semenya and if she wanted to compete in 800m then was required to lower her testosterone levels. But to the contrary, she instead of going through such hormonal lowering therapy, she shifted her focus on such events which were outside the restricted range, the 5000m and 10,000m and has been successful in these events.
Although she was brave enough to continue her career in longer distance races but her case is clear indication that tells how female athletes are forced to compromise on their potential intreats, and how without medical intervention they cannot compete in sports.
10 Dutee Chand female sprinter with High Testosterone Level, Wins Right to Compete
https://www. nytimes. com/2015/07/28/sports/international/dutee-chand-female-sprinter-with-high-malehormonelevel-wins-right-to-compete. html 11 Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba , who has an intersex condition breaks world record ( September 15, 2021) https://edition. cnn. com/2021/09/15/sport/francine-niyonsaba-intersex-world-record-spt-intl/index. html KENYA – MARGARET WAMBUI A MIDDLE-distance runner, an 800m Olympic bronze medallist was also affected by regulations by world athletics on testosterone levels. She has been very inspiring by being vocal about her frustration about the requirements to lower her testosterone, like many she also believed be that it is unfair as the athletes are removed from competing just because of her biological traits. Her case also highlights the psychological challenges that are put on the athletes.
All the above instances depict the challenges that a female athlete has to go through just because they have naturally elevated testosterone levels. Fairness is one thing and right of athletes with such problems has to be dealt in a manner that it does not curtail their right to compete. The rules are considered to be discriminatory for the athletes who have naturally higher testosterone, their problem is natural and not artificially created. There is a need to be a deeper study by sports organisations into such and similar problem to bring out the best rules and to refine their existing policies for the inclusion for different biological bodies. Something as small as testosterone level should alone determine the disqualification of many athletes and enlarging the scope of games/ sports is also necessary for the inclusion of such athletes. 4.
CHALLENGES FACED BY FEMALE ATHLETES WITH ELEVATED TESTOSTERONE LEVELS: There are numerous challenges that are encountered. Such challenges, explained as under.
1) HEALTH AND MEDICAL
CHALLENGES-12
Female athletes who have a high testosterone levels deal with a variety of health and medical issues which are brought upon them by social pressure, hormone modification medicines.
12 Peter Sonksen, ) Medical and Ethical Concerns Regarding Women with Hyperandrogenism and Elite
Sport,100 The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & metabolism, 825-827, (2015)
Female athletes are obliged to reduce their natural hormone levels to a standard threshold in order to be eligible to compete and by the requirement set by and by the requirement set by world athletics and the international Olympic committee. -These hormone suppressive drugs artificially reduce the testosterone levels. Use of these bring a lot of physical side effects namely mood swings, exhaustion, weight gain, muscle loss and others. There is also a reduce in muscle strength and energy levels which results in the decline in the athletic performances, directly effects their capacity to compete in elite levels. -Even though these testosterone lowering therapies mend to promote fair competition but usually impair an athlete’s physical abilities to be at their best in a game.
-Another, long term hazards linked to testosterone suppression for a long period of time, can adversely affect the cardiovascular health and bone density, also increasing the risk of heart disease. It also makes the athletes more vulnerable to health problems in their life span. -Athletes, taking such supplements could suffer heavy mood swings, anxiety, and depression because using drugs that lower testosterone levels can cause emotional instability. For an athlete mental toughness and motivation is essential but taking these supplements can lower quality of life and makes it difficult to sustain mental toughness needed to compete [ bermon 2017] Another hazard of these supplements would be disruption in the training regimens, as athletes frequently need to take time off from their training schedule in order to recover from the ill effects or for adjusting to new medication.
These breaks can cause athletes to lose their conditioning and competitive advantage, making years of hard work going into vain. Athletes most of the time do not have medical information, not knowing the side effects of the medications have to give consent to it just to be in the game, as they feel pressured into making medical changes to their bodies.
2) SOCIAL
CHALLENGES
Female athletes having high testosterone levels faced such social challenges with are not only restricted to the field and go beyond that. These athletes do not generally fit in the idea of femineity and are viewed with suspicion. The feeling of exclusion felt by athletes from both their sport and society at large only because they are not viewed as feminine enough, causes stigmatization, creating the misconception that their success is solely due to high testosterone levels ignoring other factors. - They are usually labelled as different by their own team mates, rivals sometime by their supporters as well, which makes them feel like an outsider and alone and being stigmatized because to the natural characteristic can leave a long-time impact on the athlete’s self-esteem and body image. - Taking about social challenge, major one would be the public perceptions and the media scrutiny.
Majorly this public opinion is largely shaped by the media itself, taking the example of the Indian sprinter Dutee Chand and the south African caster Semenya were brought attention by the media about the female athletes having high testosterone levels, the receiving questions on their genders, them not being feminine enough or do these athletes belong in the sports. - Media coverage about these athletes is not typically about the achievements but about the looks and questioning their eligibility in the game which become a great obstacle in their career. The constant scrutiny by the public and public opinion formed about them can pull them into depression, loss of focus, under a threat and majorly loses of sponsorships.
-Women be in sports or in general are perceived to conform to certain standard of behaviour and they are shunned if they do not fall in that categories and are considered as masculine but female athletes having high testosterone are naturally a little masculine athletes generally encounter questions regarding gender identity as society view testosterone as a male hormone, this leads to the feeling of fitting into the particular idea of femininity and that may lead to body dysmorphic and self-consciousness about their bodies . - Such athletes might feel the need to change their behaviour or attributes just to conform into the notion of being feminine. All of this could create a gap between an athlete’s inner self and the public image they are compelled to present.
-The social challenges faced by female athletes are not only from the outside world but also coming from the field they call home as when, as they are perceived to be having an unfair advantage by rivals, coaches, even teammates, they are viewed as outsiders, which results in the feeling of exclusion and even bullying. These athletes faced complex social obstacles and frequent marginalization. A change in the attitudes is necessary of the society, regardless of the inherent differences of such athletes, the media, organisations must create such atmosphere that values and honours these athletes for their hard work and skills.
3 CHALLENGES
FACED BY FEMALE ATHLETES IN THEIR PROFFESSIONAL LIVES -The women athletes with high testosterone levels faces many professional obstacles and lack of options, their access to many competitions, sponsorships and professional growth gets limited by the testosterone rule, the stigma revolving around it. -The female athletes find themselves in the dilemma of quitting the sport or following the tight rules that could possibly affect their performances. The career of the female athletes with high testosterone levels is influenced by the restrictive eligibility rule. They are obligated to fall under the set level of testosterone level to compete, set by organisations like world athletics or they need to undergo hormone suppression therapies which puts a lot of negative impact in the performance of the athletes.
Taking the example of Semenya, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, a middle-distance runner from south Africa was prohibited from taking part in 800m unless she goes through a hormone therapy to lowering her natural testosterone. this results in lowering her chances of competing in the at her best level and forcing her to compete in events outside her area of interest. -There are many economic consequences and financial consequences as well faced by such female athletes, such athletes lose their marketability when testosterone regulations prevent them from competing and performing their best. Not every athlete could sustain a sponsorship like Semenya as she was one of the most reputed athletes.
--Athletes from less know sports or weaker background may find it difficult to sustain, example our Indian sprinter Dutee Chand encountered such difficulties, her marketability suffered due to the temporary suspension under the hyperandrogenism laws. And like that many athletes struggle to pay to continue their sports. -The confusion of eligibility and performance potential of such athletes impedes their career growth. As in order achieve an elite status, trainee train and compete for years but with high test they find it hard to set a long-term goal due to unstable competitive atmosphere. These athletes are often unsure of their eligibility to play and this leads to discouragement in young athletes, who may wonder if they should be spending their money when they have no vision of future happening or rules.
-Female athletes with high testosterone are many times restricted to compete and that makes their career either stagnant or short lived. Many athletes suffer a loss of enthusiasm and that impact their drive for their careers, taking the example of Dutee Chand who battled against a ban in 2014 and got distracted from her main goal of training and performance by the burden of defending herself. The constant strain that is suffered by the athlete’s forces many to quit the sport. Strict laws, financial constraints, mental stress and less options after retirement have a significant influence on the career and opportunities accessibility of female with high test in sports. There is a strict need to review of their policies in order to establish an encouraging atmosphere for these athletes by the sports organisations.
4) REGULATORIES
CHALLENGES
-THESE
CHALLENGES
are due to policy enforcement, scientific uncertainty, ethical concerns and implementation across sports regulating organizations. Regulatory limitations influence athlete’s eligibility and problems of fairness, privacy and gender in sports. -The female athletes with hyperandrogenism or DSD must undergo hormone suppression treatment to reduce the testosterone levels just to comply with the world athletics and international Olympic committee’s testosterone standards, to be in game. But the serious regulatory issue is the uneven testosterone control across sports organisations, where world athletics bans high testosterone in women’s competitions some other sports organisations might not apply those. -Which means the athlete might be eligible for one sport or event but not for another and all of this is as confusing as it sounds for the athlete.
The lack of a uniform rule across sports casts doubt, some experts suggests that testosterone might not correspond with the performance and some believes in the relation of testosterone and sports.
-The science behind testosterone regulations is still debated, as testosterone affects muscular growth but does it affect the performance is still in question. Taking into account the genetics, training, mental strength, skills all of it affects sports achievements, making it hard to correlate testosterone to the performance advantage. -And this scientific uncertainty puts ethical challenges for the sports organisations that want fair competition while taking individuals biological distinctness into account. The human right issue posed by this challenge, as many athletes have sued testosterone rules, marking them as discriminatory and as violation of their right to compete. Courts have also recognised the governing body’s ability to impose these rules but they also have acknowledged the discriminatory impact on the athletes.
-The lack for resources to fight legal dispute, as it is time consuming and draining for the athletes. -So, these testosterone regulations influence the eligibility, privacy, reputation, legal rights. Many of the such athletes are stigmatized and disqualified due to testosterone threshold, irregular regulations, scientific uncertainty. -Sports organisations should review their policy and a more appetite approach to sports regulations will provide a better playing field that would acknowledge athletes’ diversity and promote fair competition.
5) Ethical challenges 13
-While discussing gender and sports and especially women in sports and testosterone levels we have to consider the moral or ethical implications it can have. -This has been a topic of debate since various guidelines have been issued to regulate the testosterone level in Women. Since, then a lot of cases have raised the issues which question the participation of women with high testosterone in women category sports; its fairness; 13 Peter Sonksen, Medical and Ethical Concerns Regarding Women with Hyperandrogenism and Elite Sport,100 The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabollism, 825-827, (2015) ethical implications; possible prejudice against athletes who have naturally high testosterone levels, and the effects of medical treatments to reduce these levels; etc. are important concerns.
-Regulations requiring female athletes to lower their testosterone levels, can unfairly punish those women who naturally have higher levels. All of this raise questions like how gender is defined in sports and what standards are applied when classifying athletes. -Important Ethical Concerns Equitable Competition: There is a lot of debate on whether transwomen still have an unfair advantage in women’s sports because of the well-established performance advantage linked to increased testosterone levels. Transwomen are permitted to compete under the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) rules if their testosterone levels are less than 10 nmol/L, which is still more than what is normally seen in cisgender women.
- Comparing Inclusion and Exclusion: To ensure fairness and inclusiveness regarding the participation of women with high testosterone level in Women sports or sports in general, a much-needed re-evaluation of the current male female classifications. This will ensure equality and due representation. -Discrimination Against Variations in Nature: Some women athletes have natural high amount of testosterone which are many a times confused with those women athletes who induce testosterone levels. This is an issue of concern as it can be discriminatory towards them as they are also asked to reduce the testosterone levels in their body to be able to perform in aby competition. It calls for a better understanding of gender and athletic performances.
6) PSYCOLOGICAL
CHALLENGES
Throught out the sports career of the female athletes with high testosterone levels they face many psychological and emotional challenges, which might include stigmatization, mental health issues, identity crises, public scrutiny all of this due to strict and unfavourable testosterone regulations or because of unfavourable public opinions about them. The confidence and the personality of the athletes are highly impacted when they get disqualified due to the regulations on high testosterone or when they are asked to take supplements to supress their testosterone levels all of this leads them to feel unwanted, like an alien in women’s sports. the feeling of worth comes to an athlete when they do great on field, it boosts their confidence but they are removed the field it lowers their confidence.
Caster Semenya is one of the such athletes, who have come forward and spoken about the veil that is put between fairness being established by this testosterone regulation and the failed acknowledgment of athlete’s efforts, abilities as they are just seen nothing but as a collection of biological trails (high hormones). The rejection the athletes face by their peers and community, being subjected to constant suspicion, the excess prejudice and finally the discrimination are the major contributor to the mental health problems in the female athletes with high testosterone. The media attention that such athletes face intensifies their anxieties and emotional discomfort. The public criticism of these athletes for their natural traits and appearance puts them under the label of “being different” in negative way.
Intensification of anxiety can come from all of this attention and can put them on edge, which can break their game. Media attention also invades the personal space of these athletes making their lives so difficult. The involuntary hormone suppressing therapy also contributes to the psychological challenge, these therapies can impact athlete’s mental health, mood swings, emotional instability if continued to be taken for long. So many athletes have also voiced their discomfort with the current system, as they lack autonomy, control over their bodies. These regulatory laws prohibit the female athletes form taking part in some sports, denying of opportunity makes the athlete feels rejected for the thing for which they have worked so hard for. The rejection become hard for the athletes to take as it is because of their identity rather than their skills or abilities.
Due to lack support from the peers, the organisations and the sports community they tend to feel isolated and lonely. One of the major psychology challenges faced by the athletes is the dip in their motivation and excitement for their sport. They often loose satisfaction to play a game in which they are constantly being subjected to shame, rejection; bringing setback in their game.
5.ANALYSIS
An analysis of the challenges faced by women with elevated testosterone levels in global sports revolves around many factors which includes causes of high testosterone levels in female athletes, the impact it poses on their performances; the regulations set for such female athletes; and lastly the challenges they have to deal with. The testosterone is usually linked with the physical advantage that athletes with high levels of could have but it is a complex thing and analysis of it reveals that this hormone could only impact the muscle strength, recovery but the overall performance of an athlete is still derived from various factors like training, diet, mental strength and the genetics of female athletes.
The regulations and the policies that are put forward and set eligibility limits are mostly focused on the single thing namely the high testosterone and taking into the consideration of other possible things on with research should be conducted, There is a need to research about the genetic diversity and difference in human bodies when we tackle the problem of fairness in competition and to frame the policies according such studies so that it could create other categories and setting up of the eligibility for not just women with high testosterone but also other conditions. A deep study is needed into the psychological, social, economic effects these policies, regulations might put on the athletes. With the help of interviews and deeper case studies this gap can be filled.
And to bring reforms in the regulations and to under the challenges better, there is a need to conduct surveys, interviews of athletes so that they can put their experiences forward and to also survey of athletes those who would find the inclusion of the such athletes unfair to them. 6. CONCLUSION An athlete, particularly the female athletes with high testosterone levels faces many abovementioned challenges which impacts them on many different levels. This complex intermingling of science, biology, gender and the put forth issue of competitive fairness either it could drag such female athletes down or compel them to break all the boundaries to do better.
But one cannot ignore the fact that these athletes not just have to focus on their games, their ambition but also have to go through unfavourable public opinion about them, media scrutiny, and to deal with the label of masculine, not being feminine enough for the world, and moreover, questioning their own identity. There is a need for balancing and coming to a proper solution of the debate about competitive fairness and the dignity of all the humans. The sports organization needs to put proper and clear regulations respecting every athlete regardless of their biology. All the athletes deserve to be given a fair and equal opportunity. The diversity in human kinds needs to be taken care of and on that basis new refined policies are needed. So that many athletes do not have to face such above-mentioned challenges in their career.