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So is 'she' a 'he'? Nope - she's both!
Topic Started: Sep 11 2009, 04:21 AM (127 Views)
Niongor
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Giver of the *Hi-5*
Many of you will no doubt have heard of South African athlete Caster Semenya. She ran a fantastic pace recently in the 800m at the world athletics.

Following this, the IAAF announced they were going to "gender test" Semenya, to see is she was a he.

It now turns out, she's both.

Linketh
"There is no next time: it's now or never!"

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Fin
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Tilting Windmills
:blink: ....huh... :unsure:
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Canada-Fin
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jDELIGHT
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Now what will they do?

A 21-Skwerl Salute for the Dizzy Twirling Hippy Chick!

"Your only true land based hope are aerodynamically correct goats." JT
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Cowland5
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Baron de Pompous
WWIII, apparently... :rolleyes:
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Jack Tarr
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Chief Twanger Plunker
Well, seems this gives that old expression "Go f--- yourself" a whole new meaning. :rofl:
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Niongor
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jDELIGHT,Sep 11 2009
07:38 PM
Now what will they do?

She's keeping her medals and basically, if she's intersexual but identifies as a woman - she be woman!

I knew this would be the case when it was leaked her testosterone levels were ×3 the average for woman. I suppose nature gave her an advantage :P

I do worry in one aspect though, how will South Africa deal with it? South Africa likes to paint itself as a progressive nation, but it's really not. The government have already made her as a political pawn.

Before this revelation, whilst she was still believed to be a manly woman South Africa would've been happy to champion her on, but the second they all find out she's actually a bit of both, I worry that the mood of the nation may change. Sure, the government will play the progressive card, but let's not forget how out of touch that government is... :unsure:
"There is no next time: it's now or never!"

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jDELIGHT
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So now, I guess the Olympic Committee and others will need to define a level past which someone is the gender they identify with rather than what the hormones say?

Something like... 2x the amount of testosterone - you're girl on steroids = FAIL. 3x=your choice!=WIN

A 21-Skwerl Salute for the Dizzy Twirling Hippy Chick!

"Your only true land based hope are aerodynamically correct goats." JT
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Omnivorous
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jDELIGHT,Sep 12 2009
03:25 PM
So now, I guess the Olympic Committee and others will need to define a level past which someone is the gender they identify with rather than what the hormones say?

Something like... 2x the amount of testosterone - you're girl on steroids = FAIL. 3x=your choice!=WIN

This is what I worry about; I understand that it is not her fault that her body produces 3 times the testosterone of an average woman, but it is a serious and unfair disadvantage to her opponents who would get banned for having such levels.

But then that means regulations of the natural development of testosterone due to the impact on the structure and strength of the body, but everyone produces different levels so people run with those of a similar level? I don't think there is a solution to this.


JD, men can have a sex change and compete as women after two years and when their hormones reach an acceptable level (not sure what).
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Pez201
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So some people have a biological advantage over others. Doesn't make 'em cheats.

Lance Armstrong has a heart that's larger (not just stronger, but LARGER) than the average male, it gives him an advantage but that's his luck.
"I never said i was the first person..yesh. I admit Pez was the first one to throw a goat" - Fin
Leader of the Canadian Fat Whale Party from 21/5/08 - 29/8/09 and from 1/8/09 when his 48 hour brain fuzz cleared up. :D
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Niongor
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The thing with Semenya is, essentially, she's a woman with testicles, that's the reason for her high testosterone levels. She has that thing where, essentially, she's got both. Makes you ask "Where would intersex people fit in at an olympics?" Compete with the women and you have an unfair advantage. Compete with the men and you're never going to win.

It's a difficult thing so it is, but do I think it's unfair? She does have an unfair advantage - but it's natural! Like Pez said, some people have that extra 'quality' that makes them better than the rest. Usain Bolt is very tall, does that mean he's got an unfair advantage? Not really, it's the way nature made him to be.

In my view: same with Semenya. Not every man is as tall as Bolt, not every woman has the testosterone advantage of Semenya. :shrug:
"There is no next time: it's now or never!"

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jDELIGHT
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And if she has been a woman all her life, that's her choice. At least she has testicles and not some secret doctor doping her. Honest competition, I agree.

Babies who are born in Colorado mountains and other high places, such as the Andes, have larger organs. People come to train at altitude so they can temporarily simulate that. Tall, fast, etc. as long as they are honest about it.

And I don't envy them one bit. I likes being average! Woo hooo! Go me!

A 21-Skwerl Salute for the Dizzy Twirling Hippy Chick!

"Your only true land based hope are aerodynamically correct goats." JT
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Jack Tarr
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jDELIGHT,Sep 13 2009
11:49 AM
And if she has been a woman all her life, that's her choice. At least she has testicles and not some secret doctor doping her. Honest competition, I agree.

Babies who are born in Colorado mountains and other high places, such as the Andes, have larger organs. People come to train at altitude so they can temporarily simulate that. Tall, fast, etc. as long as they are honest about it.

And I don't envy them one bit. I likes being average! Woo hooo! Go me!

NO! You are above average. :hug:
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jDELIGHT
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Aw. thanks, but I'm not famously or freakishly above average, and that I like.

:B)

A 21-Skwerl Salute for the Dizzy Twirling Hippy Chick!

"Your only true land based hope are aerodynamically correct goats." JT
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Niongor
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jDELIGHT,Sep 13 2009
05:49 PM
And if she has been a woman all her life, that's her choice. At least she has testicles and not some secret doctor doping her. Honest competition, I agree.

Babies who are born in Colorado mountains and other high places, such as the Andes, have larger organs. People come to train at altitude so they can temporarily simulate that. Tall, fast, etc. as long as they are honest about it.

And I don't envy them one bit. I likes being average! Woo hooo! Go me!

Yair, I agree with you on this one jD. :fonz:
"There is no next time: it's now or never!"

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Jack Tarr
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jDELIGHT,Sep 13 2009
03:02 PM
Aw. thanks, but I'm not famously or freakishly above average, and that I like.

:B)

Well, I hate to burst your bubble but....

You are in the NS community. :P

Ummmm wait, before someone reacts, I did not mean you have a bubble butt. :hide:
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