https://doi.org/10.4081/mem.2024.1594
Inclusion vs equity? Eligibility requirements and the meaning of sport
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Authors
This study explores the complex ethical issues surrounding the determination of eligibility criteria for participation in women's sports competitions, with particular emphasis on intersex and transgender athletes. The significance of this topic is underscored by recent high-profile cases in sports, which have highlighted the challenges of balancing fundamental values such as inclusion, fairness, safety, privacy, individual freedom, and social cohesion. These cases reveal ethical dilemmas where uncompromising solutions are not possible. The essay first examines the evolution of international regulations governing the participation of female athletes, focusing on the role of testosterone as a key indicator for ensuring fairness. It then provides an overview of alternative proposals that have emerged in philosophical and moral debates, questioning the adequacy of testosterone as the sole criterion for assessment. The essay concludes with personal reflections by the author, offering a contribution to the ongoing debate. While this paper does not aim to offer definitive solutions, it seeks to provide a well-reasoned analysis of the ethical challenges involved, contributing to a more nuanced and informed discussion.
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