Is this a case of cheating? Two boxers have been accused of unfairly competing in the women’s category, causing a heated but confused online debate.
Olympic boxing sparks gender fracas
Is this a case of cheating? Two boxers have been accused of unfairly competing in the women's category, causing a heated but confused online debate.
Two boxers face one another in the Olympic ring. The boxer dressed in red begins striking the boxer in blue, breaking her chinstrap and smashing her nose. After 46 seconds the blue boxer ends the fight, dropping to her knees in tears.
Last year, the boxer in red, Algerian Imane Khelif, was banned by the International Boxing Association (IBA). A DNADeoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information. test showed she had XY chromosomesA threadlike structure found in the nucleus of most living cells, carry genetic information in the form of genes., those associated with being a man, as opposed to the XX chromosomes generally found in women.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) follows different rules. From its point of view, Khelif was born female, raised as a girl, and has boxed in the women's category for her entire career.
This is not a transgenderSomeone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology). issue. Khelif appears to have a difference in sex development (DSD) condition, which means her physical development is different to most other people's. But some say that her testosterone levels are similar to those of a man, making her much stronger than other women.
Many people think this is unfair. Gold-winning boxer Nicola Adams tweeted that letting Khelif fight was "dangerous".
But Khelif's supporters argue that sport should be inclusive. They point out that female athletes of colour have historically faced disproportionateToo large in comparison with the norm. discrimination.
Another boxer, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, is also competing in the women's category despite being banned in the past for the same reason. She started training to protect her mother from domestic violence.
On Friday evening Khelif will compete for the welterweightA weight category in boxing between lightweight and middleweight. gold. Whether or not she enjoys an unfair advantage, she has done nothing to deserve the attacks on social media. Instead, the fault lies with IOC for creating this confusing situation.
Is this a case of cheating?
Yes! Female boxers with male genetics or hormones have an overwhelming physical advantage and should not be allowed to compete against other women.
No! Khelif and Yu-ting have done nothing wrong according to the Olympic rules. Prejudice still exists against female athletes of colour.
FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.
Keywords
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information.
Chromosomes - A threadlike structure found in the nucleus of most living cells, carry genetic information in the form of genes.
Transgender - Someone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology).
Disproportionate - Too large in comparison with the norm.
Welterweight - A weight category in boxing between lightweight and middleweight.
Olympic boxing sparks gender fracas
Glossary
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information.
Chromosomes - A threadlike structure found in the nucleus of most living cells, carry genetic information in the form of genes.
Transgender - Someone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology).
Disproportionate - Too large in comparison with the norm.
Welterweight - A weight category in boxing between lightweight and middleweight.