Comment on US Olympic policy change bans transgender women in women's events

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fipto@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago

I was busy the last few days but I think this conversation is important.

I’m right there with you for lots of the things you bring up. Women’s sports are severely underfunded, and women’s accomplishments are severely under-appreciated. What would you name as the reasons for this outcome? I think there are many… For one, many people are sexist and just don’t care for women’s sport. Another reason is that women’s sports are on average less extreme. Men are setting the records and pushing the human boundaries when it comes to sport. Women are pushing boundaries, too, (within women’s specific sports categories), but generally not beating the highest of all human records.

On average, women have significant disadvantages when it comes to sport… The short list I gave previously is obviously non-exhaustive. This is why women (as a class) outperform men (as a class) when it comes to physical sports. <- just so its very clear, I’m speaking of classes here, not individuals.

One class out-performing another then brings about the most natural way to make categories in sports: sex. This way, each class can have their own champions. Women are given opportunities to win in fairness and gain recognition for amazing feats.

Ultimately you and I are both concerned with giving the best possible opportunities to athletes. The whole idea of sports is that there is an established class who is participating, and within that class - may the best competitor win. Because of the stark differences in outcomes among men and women competitors, the easiest and most fair class distinction to draw is based on sex. It uplifts women as a class, and gives women a spot on the largest stages. I think this is a wonderful thing, and I would never want to threaten it.

So that’s my perspective. As a quick direct response, (so I don’t seem as if I’m avoiding anything):

Thanks for the good discussion, and for the patience.

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