Sport’s problematic policy around ‘real’ women

What happens when a female athlete naturally produces abnormally high levels of testosterone? Does she have an advantage over her female competitors? In 2011, the International Association of Athletics Federation and the International Olympic Committee introduced controversial policies surrounding hyperandrogenism.

Deemed ‘too masculine’, women who naturally produced high levels of testosterone were required to undergo hormonal or surgical intervention in order to compete against other females. Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sports Management at UTS, returned to 2SER Breakfast to discuss hyperandrogenism policy, the prejudice at work and just how much testosterone levels actually impact on an athlete’s performance.