Should Trans Female Athletes Compete in the Women’s Category?

Trans women competing in the women’s category has been a huge debate since the Tokyo Olympics. This debate basically focuses on male power. trans women on creating unfair competition in sports. The decision to ban this issue has recently come from many sports federations.

In contrast, trans women hormones and surgery It is argued that at the end of the process with them, their power is no longer that of men and that is why they should compete in women’s categories.

First, let’s look at what trans means.

Before talking about trans female athletes, let’s explain what trans women mean as a concept. transgendermeans having a gender identity different from the gender assigned at birth.

The concept of transgender was first defined in the 1970s. The definition made by Virginia Prince is as follows: “above and beyond what would be expected based on the reproductive organs they have.” gender identity people who exhibit their characteristics full time”.

Which sport are men and women biologically predisposed to?

Of course, everyone can do whatever sport they want, but biologically Women or men are more prone to some sports. According to Olympic data, men have an advantage in sports that use muscle. Apart from muscles, the size of the heart is also effective in sports success. Because men’s hearts are larger than women’s, they can pump more blood to the muscles.

Another issue that disadvantages women is fat rate. Women have more fat due to estrogen.

Women take advantage in flexibility is showing. Women have more mobility than men.

Is it right for trans women to compete in the women’s category?

Trans women in sports In which category? It is an important discussion for the sports world that should take place.

The biggest objection for trans women competing in the women’s category is their biological identity. more strong It’s about being. Even though they use hormones, it is claimed that they still hold the advantage. Thanks to their hormones and muscle strength, the degrees that female athletes have earned by working hard are the same as trans women. with much less effort their achievements are underlined.

Although transgender women’s testosterone levels are lowered, Tommy Lundberg, Ph. performance advantage They claim to protect them.

There are also those who think that competing in the women’s category is not a problem.

The estrogen used by trans women is known to suppress testosterone levels and reduce muscle mass. As a result of these treatments, power advantage It is claimed that it has decreased. In this regard, the medical world is almost agreed.

International Olympic Committee Medical Director Richard Budgett stated that trans women may experience loss of performance during the transformation process.

In order to participate in competitions, testosterone suppressing drugs must be used 1 year ago.

The International Olympic Committee recommends that testosterone be used for transgender women to compete in the women’s category. Below 10 nanomoles He stipulated that it should be. That’s why testosterone suppressing drugs need to be used at least 1 year ago.

Even with this pressure, Lundberg only 5% of muscle mass He claims he is lost.

Laurel Hubbard, the first trans female athlete to take part in the Tokyo Olympic Games

Laurel Hubbard, The first female athlete to compete in the Olympics. Hubbard, who competes in weightlifting, started his sports career as a man. She qualified to compete in the women’s category by meeting the criteria of the International Olympic Committee.

In this highly criticized decision, he again claimed that he, as a man, had acquired physical power and used this in the women’s category against women. superiority It is stated that it provides

Another issue here is the danger in sports that require contact. Trans athletes in close contact possibility of harming rivals It is thought to be. To prevent this, the International Rugby Federation excluded transgender athletes from competition.

So are trans women really successful enough to excel?

The main point that trans athletes are criticized for is in the women’s category. being stronger than their competitors. Let’s see if there are any achievements of trans female athletes to support this thesis.

• Tiffany Thomas, is an athlete who is much talked about with his victory in the cycling race. Thomas’s rise from amateur to elite category in just 5 years is attributed to his being stronger than his other competitors.
• Lia Thomas Another trans female athlete. It seems that the athlete, who came 452nd in the men’s swimming category, came very close to record-breaking Katie Ledecky when she moved to the women’s category.
• Laurel Hubbard She is the first trans woman to compete in the Olympics. Even though he failed in the Tokyo Olympic Games, even competing at this level at his age is considered important.
• Fallon Fox, a transgender fighter. Fox, who fought 4 times, won by knockout in all of these fights. One of the athletes whom Fox defeated stated that he had fought a lot before, but he had never faced such a strong person.

The female cyclist announced that she quit sports because of the trans woman.

former cycling champion Hannah ArensmanWhen trans female athletes finished the race in 3rd and 5th places, in which she finished 4th, she quit sports on the grounds that trans women cannot have androgynous levels no matter how hard they work.

Many federations have banned transgender female athletes.

International Swimming Federation, banned transgender athletes from competing in the women’s category. The Federation imposes a 12-year age requirement and decides that only trans women who changed gender before the age of 12 can participate.

World Athletics Association made a similar decision and banned trans women from competing in the women’s category. The decision states that trans people who have gone through male puberty will be excluded from the competition.

Another decision International Rugby LeagueIt came from. The statement states that trans female athletes will not be allowed to compete in the women’s category.

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