@EM2. Thanks again for the detailed response. This is certainly an interesting discussion which has prompted me to carefully consider my own views on trans athletes (which I admit are not well developed since, as neither a trans individual nor a sports fan, I have no particular “skin in the game!”).
Ok I think this an important point though.
What are the views of prominent cis female athletes on trans athletes competing alongside them?
No it doesn't. It states:
'Every day athletes are beaten by others with identifiable difference. And yet those differences are allowed.
It could be physical difference like longer limbs in sports like basketball or swimming; it could be better training facilities enjoyed by developed nations over developing nations; it could be superior mental strength over those who struggle with big occasions.'
Note the use of 'athletes'. Natural females are not mentioned at all in that passage.
In the context of the article I would suggest this is discussing “differences” of trans athletes (biologically male, surgery + hormones), in the same breath as naturally occurring differences between cis athletes.
Correct, it does. It then states straight afterwards: 'but in general that's the only ongoing effect … [due to treatment] their muscle mass and strength is reduced.' and later states (from the same scientist): 'but the strength and stamina will have altered due to her hormonal treatments' and also:
'Specifically with regard to Hannah, she's big … but one of the things is that she has a large skeletal system which hasn't reduced in size, but her muscles have substantially reduced in size and strength.'
'So she now has a female-size engine trying to move this big skeletal frame around and that is going to cause her some substantial disadvantages.'
Ok, I will concede that if it can be objectively proved, to the satisfaction of the relevant sporting authority, that trans athletes are not at
any innate advantage due to their biological sex, then I agree, there should be no objection in principle to them competing alongside CIS athletes of their assumed gender.
I would caveat that by saying that there doesn’t seem to be a great deal of evidence either way and, unless and until that can be established, I would still advocate for an entirely separate category for trans athletes.
It seems this discussion has also highlighted a definite innate advantage for those intersex athletes who identify as female (reference our discussion of the intersex SA athlete above) so there seems to be an even stronger case for a seperate category for these athletes.
'Moonlights as'? She is a scientist, and an athlete, and a trans woman, so is uniquely placed to investigate findings in this area. Are you saying that she's lying when she states: "When I started to transition in 2004 … within nine months I had started running 12 per cent slower than I had been before and men run 10-12 per cent faster than women — and so in nine months, I had lost all of my male advantage,"?
I’m not saying she’s lying per se, but the trans lobby has become excessively politicised and someone who is both trans and an athlete, who is advocating for major change, may have a conflict of interests.