MONTREAL — Proposed rules to limit natural testosterone levels in some female track and field athletes are unscientific and would set a precedent for discriminating against people based on their natural abilities, a Canadian researcher says. The rules would force female runners with differences of sex development to medically lower their testosterone levels before they could race internationally at distances from 400 meters through the mile. The South African athlete appealed the hormone regulations to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing the governing body lacks scientific evidence that testosterone levels substantially enhance sports performance. Tannenbaum, who is scientific director for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Gender and Health, said there is “absolutely zero research” to suggest that high testosterone levels can make someone a great athlete. “The whole idea of the Olympics is to look for individuals who are born with extraordinary talent or ability,” Tannenbaum said.

Source: National Post March 20, 2019 22:30 UTC