Transgender guidelines need to be carefully consideredSUPPLIED Professor Steve Stannard argues sporting bodies must carefully consider their rules about transgender athletes. But when it comes to sport, competition and a level playing field, should we be talking about gender or sex? The physiological characteristics that accompany the male sex include bigger muscles, thicker bones and wider stronger joints that provide a mechanical advantage. The Olympic Committee has a set of rules that govern the ability of transgender athletes to compete so the "playing field" is level. But when gender and sex collide transgender guidelines need to be carefully considered to ensure a level playing field or else participation in strength and power sports, particularly by women, will suffer.

Source: Stuff March 02, 2018 08:26 UTC