DR. SIEGEL: The simple answer to Olympic boxing’s complicated problem

Differences in sex development are no one’s business, but elevated hormone levels must be addressed

When it comes to high level competitive sports, it makes total sense that there should be no competitive advantage. That’s why doping is universally banned, and why there are frequent doping tests. It is also why so much consternation and international friction exists between the U.S. and China over suspected doping cases that China and global authorities supposedly covered up.

Algeria’s Imane Khelif (in red) gestures to Italy’s Angela Carini in the women’s 66kg preliminaries round of 16 boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on August 1, 2024. (MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images)

But a different – though related – question arose in the Olympics in Paris this week, namely what about a high testosterone level, not from anabolic steroids, but from a genetic variance or so-called Differences of Sex Development (DSDs)? This is not the same question as whether transgender women born as males have an advantage competing in women’s sports. That is a different debate. Today’s question is about Imane Khelif, of Algeria, who identifies as a woman but was disqualified from the 2023 world championships after failing some type of gender eligibility test.

More relevant and practical would be the measurement of hormone levels, including testosterone and cortisol.

In other words, test the relevant hormones, not the genes that produce them. 

Granted, there are variances in hormone levels within a gender, but the presence of a Y chromosome could lead to a production of excess testosterone (by the testes) well beyond what is ever found in a biological female.

We agree with the above that some women have a vagina, but they do have male chromosomes (XY) which can produce a prolific testosterone level. That is the key, check the testosterone. 

Additionally, we at the NBTP say, if you have balls, you are out. Not fair competing against women who have given their life vying in their specific category to beat someone of the same naturally born sex.