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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Committee Clears Transsexuals for Olympics |
| 2004-05-17 |
| I couldn’t resist this piece of PC idiocy. Transsexuals were cleared Monday to compete in the Olympics (search) for the first time. Under a proposal approved by the IOC executive board, athletes who have undergone sex-change surgery will be eligible for the Olympics if their new gender has been legally recognized and they have gone through a minimum two-year period of postoperative hormone therapy. The decision, which covers both male-to-female and female-to-male cases, goes into effect starting with the Athens Olympics in August. The IOC had put off a decision in February, saying more time was needed to consider all the medical issues. Some members had been concerned whether male-to-female transsexuals would have physical advantages competing against women. Men have higher levels of testosterone and greater muscle-to-fat ratio and heart and lung capacity. However, doctors say, testosterone levels and muscle mass drop after hormone therapy and sex-change surgery (search). IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said the situation of transsexuals competing in high-level sports was "rare but becoming more common." IOC medical director Patrick Schamasch said no specific sports had been singled out by the ruling. "Any sport may be touched by this problem," he said. "Until now, we didn’t have any rules or regulations. We needed to establish some sort of policy." Until 1999, the IOC conducted gender verification tests at the Olympics but the screenings were dropped before the 2000 Sydney Games. One of the best known cases of transsexuals in sports involves Renee Richards, formerly Richard Raskind, who played on the women’s tennis tour in the 1970s. In March, Australia’s Mianne Bagger (search) became the first transsexual to play in a pro golf tournament. Michelle Dumaresq, formerly Michael, has competed in mountain bike racing for Canada. |
| Posted by:Phil_B |
| #4 "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -- H.L. Mencken |
| Posted by: Long Hair Republican 2004-05-17 11:01:43 PM |
| #3 This decision is because of the outrage over the Paleo bomber who was a hermaphrodite. If they had let hi....her...that PERSON into the Olympics to begin with then...well....IT'S A ZIONIST CONSPIRACY!! |
| Posted by: Charles 2004-05-17 10:42:39 PM |
| #2 Maybe they can have games just for transsexuals, but otherwise, it's more than a bit unfair to the other competitors. While an exceptional situation, athletic performance is one case where original gender poses a gigantic advantage. For years, nations competing in the Olympics rightfully complained about Soviet "women" athletes who were suspected of having been transgendered specifically for competitive propaganda purposes. Many sports are not co-ed specifically because of gender dependent issues related to base strength and stamina. To sweep this aside in the name of "non-discrimination" is the height of arrogance. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-05-17 9:11:01 PM |
| #1 2 years of hormone therapy doesn't make a hoot of difference when one compares the "new" model with the original. Can't erase biological predeterminants that easily. Maybe they can have games just for transsexuals, but otherwise, it's more than a bit unfair to the other competitors. I'd be pretty pissed off if I was an Olympic athlete--especially considering the policies/problems with steroids/hormones and "natural" athletes--not allowed unless you're a transsexual (?). |
| Posted by: ex-lib 2004-05-17 7:04:03 PM |