Should male athletes who identify as female be allowed to compete in women’s sports? Many in the media say yes and often celebrate these athletes. For example, Lia Thomas, a male swimmer, won the NCAA women’s championship in 2022, and CeCe Telfer, a male runner, won the NCAA Division II women’s 400-meter hurdles in 2019. Laurel Hubbard, a male weightlifter, was the first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics in 2021.
However, all these athletes share one thing: they are biologically male but competing in women’s sports. You rarely hear about female athletes competing in men’s sports, and the reason is simple—males generally have a physical advantage over females in athletics.
Despite this, anyone who points out these biological differences often faces harsh criticism. But recognizing these differences is important to preserve fairness in women’s sports.
Why Males Have a Physical Advantage
Is it fair for males to compete in women’s sports? Science says no. Some argue that if males lower their testosterone levels, they should be allowed to compete against females. But studies show that this doesn’t eliminate the performance gap. Males still have significant physical advantages, like greater muscle strength and faster running speeds. Even after taking hormones, males retain many advantages from puberty, such as larger bones and muscles, which give them an edge in sports.
For example, in track and field, research shows that even average male athletes can outperform the world’s best female athletes. In 2017, over 5,000 males, including teenagers, ran faster 400-meter times than Olympic gold medalists like Sanya Richards-Ross and Allyson Felix.
The Impact on Women’s Sports
Before the 1970s, women had very few opportunities in sports. This changed with the passage of Title IX in 1972, which opened up opportunities for women in athletics. But now, the progress women have made is at risk if males are allowed to compete in women’s sports.
For example, in Connecticut, the state allowed male athletes who identify as female to compete in high school girls’ sports. As a result, two male athletes won 15 state titles that were previously held by nine different girls. Female athletes like Selina Soule, who trained hard for years, are losing opportunities for scholarships and championships.
States Taking Action
Many states are now passing laws to protect fairness in women’s sports. States like Idaho, West Virginia, and Florida have passed legislation to ensure that only females compete in women’s sports. However, these laws face legal challenges, and the debate continues.
The Future of Women’s Sports
Allowing males to compete in women’s sports raises safety concerns and threatens the opportunities available to female athletes. Women may be discouraged from participating if they feel they don’t have a fair chance to win. This could undermine the progress made since Title IX and jeopardize the future of women’s sports.
