"Unfair Genetic Advantage"

[Tri Girl]

(Totally OT: Reminds me of the Futurama episode where Bender competes as a fem-bot and has to have his oil changed. Hail, hail, Robonia... the land that I didn't make up!)

OK- that's totally what I thought of, too. Glad to know my warped little mind is not alone.

[Cataboo]

So...

The International Association of Athletics Federation ordered Semenya to take the tests after she made remarkable improvements in her performances in recent months.



She makes remarkable improvements and instead of thinking she's doping, they think she's XXY?

[witeowl]

I read about this a few days ago. I'm glad I don't have to make a decision about this. It's an ugly situation and there is no way to rule on this and come out without being a bad guy.

Let's say that she was born female, raised female, and has a genetic abnormality that gives her the benefits of a male athlete. Does this really mean that she can't compete as a woman? If I were another woman trying to compete against her, I'd probably say that she shouldn't be allowed to compete. If I were her... I'd ask where the hell else I should be allowed to compete (since she's doesn't have all the equipment to be considered a man, as evidenced by fellow athletes who have seen her in the buff).

I have to be honest. Have you seen pictures of her? A genetic abnormality is definitely not out of the question. I don't blame them for thinking XXY rather than doping.

What frustrates me is how public this is. She's handling herself with outstanding and amazing dignity.

[shootingstar]

What frustrates me is how public this is. She's handling herself with outstanding and amazing dignity.

Certainly I would love to read of her story one day...years from now when all of this will be behind her. Regardless of her gender situation, she is a great athlete.

[Mr. Bloom]

Post mortem autopsy on Secretariat revealed an abnormally large heart.

Lance has an unusual cardio capacity.

In different circumstance, a genetic advantage is called "a blessing".

If she is naturally what she is, then I believe you leave her alone. When competition requires genetic testing to determine eligibility, then there's something wrong.

[GLC1968]

I think it's awful. The poor woman. I was very much a tomboy growing up. I refused to wear dresses, I played sports, I beat the boys, I was muscular as a child and I was 17 before I'd kissed my first boy. It wasn't that I didn't like boys, they just weren't interested in me. How could they be? How many teenage boys LIKE being beaten by a girl? I can totally see why she hasn't has a boyfriend at 18...it's got to be hard to be built like she is...

And seriously, how can they say that just because she's not 'feminine' that she can't compete? I mean sure...if she were taking drugs to be that way (like the East German women's swim team), then yes, ban her. But a natural advantage? Doesn't every single world class athlete have a genetic advantage? If they didn't, they'd just be like us and not breaking world records, right? The best basketball players are tall, the best swimmers have long arms, the best gymnasts are small and muscular, the best endurance athletes have advanced cardiovascular abilities, and the best cyclists are light if they are climbers and strong if they are sprinters. I mean, if it turns out that even though she's got female genitalia, she's got some other advantage due to a high testosterone level or something, then where does the line EVER get drawn??

[colby]

OK- that's totally what I thought of, too. Glad to know my warped little mind is not alone.

Me too