World Athletics Continues to Discriminate Against Athletes with Innate Variations of Sex Characteristics
As the Paris Olympics unfolds, the athletics competition has commenced. However, there are at least two athletes who won’t be participating because their natural bodies do not meet World Athletics’ standards.
Both athletes have faced exclusion under regulations that restrict competition by women athletes with innate variations of sex characteristics (intersex variations/differences of sex development).
In 2023, World Athletics changed their regulations (we’ve almost lost track of just how many times they’ve done this). This latest change makes women athletes with innate variations of sex characteristics ineligible to compete in women’s events unless they reduce their testosterone levels to 2.5 nanomoles per litre.
Namibian athlete Christine Katiku Mboma, a former silver medalist in the 200 metres, underwent hormonal intervention to lower her natural testosterone levels. Unfortunately, this “treatment” adversely affected her body, leading to weight gain and a decline in agility, pace, and speed. Consequently, she did not qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kenyan athlete Maximilia Imali, who aspired to compete in the 400 metres, chose not to take hormones to lower her testosterone levels. Her appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this year was unsuccessful.
This hormone treatment is not required for the health of either athlete. It cannot be considered “gender affirmation” in women observed and assigned female at birth. It is required solely for World Athletic regulations.
Making women take hormone treatment in order to compete is a coercive practice. Ms Imali aptly stated, “They need to understand that we are human and they need to respect human rights.”
We agree.
(Maximilia Imali has confirmed that we can share this summary)
For more information, you can visit our position statement on this matter at Sport – Intersex Human Rights Australia (ihra.org.au)
See our statement on hate towards athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics here – End the hate, let women compete – Intersex Human Rights Australia (ihra.org.au)
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