[Other Sport] Paralympics fairness

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papachris

Well-known member

Jul 17, 2020

610

Viti, Estonia and Torrevieja, Spain

• Aug 12, 2024

• #1

Can I ask what are people's views about this? Surely in paralympics where there are so many categories for different levels of ability/disability there could be a separate category for transgender athletes to compete in a level field.
Let me be clear - I don't have anything against transgender or anything else but there has to be a level playing field, so to speak.
I feel it is so unfair on female athletes to compete against someone who was previously a national champion as a male athletes.
Sprinter set to be first transgender Paralympian - https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cpvymmpyjeko

 

dazzer6666

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Mar 27, 2013

55,353

Burgess Hill

• Aug 12, 2024

• #2

TBH I struggle with the whole concept of athlete classification in the paralympics. Transgender is a different discussion imo and not to be conflated with disabilities.

 

schmunk

Second time lucky?

Jan 19, 2018

10,314

Mid mid mid Sussex

• Aug 12, 2024

• #3

dazzer6666 said:

Transgender is a different discussion imo and not to be conflated with disabilities.

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This.

 

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Han Solo

Well-known member

May 25, 2024

2,383

• Aug 13, 2024

• #4

Putting transgender athletes in the Paralympics would be a PR suicide of unprecedented scale.

More likely a "third gender" category will be implemented in the existing Olympics at some point in the future. Will inevitably be wonky but think its the most likely workaround this issue.

 

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papachris

Well-known member

Jul 17, 2020

610

Viti, Estonia and Torrevieja, Spain

• Aug 13, 2024

• Thread starter
• #5

Han Solo said:

Putting transgender athletes in the Paralympics would be a PR suicide of unprecedented scale.

More likely a "third gender" category will be implemented in the existing Olympics at some point in the future. Will inevitably be wonky but think its the most likely workaround this issue.

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The only reason I mentioned paralympics is that this particular athlete is a visually impared. But for sure a workaround is needed that is fair for transgender athletes but also fair to female athletes

 

hans kraay fan club

The voice of reason.

Helpful Moderator

Mar 16, 2005

62,711

Chandlers Ford

• Aug 13, 2024

• #6

dazzer6666 said:

TBH I struggle with the whole concept of athlete classification in the paralympics.

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Indeed. The entire concept is fundamentally 'unfair' anyway, in all but the most definitive classifications.