2024 Olympics: Algerian boxer debate – Do women with Y chromosomes have a competitive advantage?

2024-08-02 17:03:41

After 46 seconds, the fight between Imane Khelif and Italian boxer Angela Carini is over. The latter retreated after two hard hits on the nose. A discussion arose as to whether Khelif could possibly be a man. What will he tell you?

The 25-year-old Khelif was not allowed to participate in the World Cup final last year because the International Boxing Association (IBA) found high levels of the female hormone testosterone in relevant samples. It is expected that an X and a Y chromosome were found in Khelif during a DNA test, i.e. a male chromosome pattern. However, the IBA was not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which also approved Khelif for the Paris Winter Games.

“She was born a woman, she lives as a woman, she boxes as a woman and according to her passport she is a woman,” said IOC spokesman Mark Adams, explaining the decision. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, however, said after the fight was canceled : “I disagree with the IOC. I think female athletes with male genetic characteristics should not be allowed to compete in women’s competitions.”

The exact conditions of the case are not defined – but answers to basic medical questions can be provided.

Both numbers have both sex hormones, just in a correspondingly different ratio. The level of hormones varies from person to person, and the effect is different on life. For example, girls often have pimples during puberty because more testosterone is circulating in the body, which is also the reason why pubic hair grows.

When does testosterone increase in women?

There are many reasons why testosterone levels increase in women. A common cause is the so-called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); such as University Hospital Zurich Between six and 18 percent of women of reproductive age are affected. This leads to menstrual disorders and egg failure in the ovaries, which leads to increased levels of male sex hormones (androgens). Elevated testosterone levels and a more masculine pattern of hair are signs of the syndrome.

Similarly, diseases of the adrenal glands or tumors in the ovaries can lead to increased androgen concentration in the blood. A lot of male hormones can also be found when doping with testosterone preparations.

What do chromosomes say about gender?

The general rule is: women have two X chromosomes, men have one X and one Y chromosome. However, there are rare exceptions in which people with two pairs of XY chromosomes appear female on the outside (“XY females”). This is a form of intersexuality.

One such great is called complete androgen resistance: Hormone receptors for testosterone are missing, which cannot have an effect. There are testicles located inside the body. Outer gender is completely female at birth, children grow up as girls. However, no uterus develops, periods stop, and pubic hair does not grow (“hairless women”). Testosterone levels increase.

A famous example from top sport is South African middle-distance runner and multiple Olympic champion Caster Semenya apparently androgen resistance is now

It may also be that the Y chromosome is defective: Correctly determined A gene on the Y chromosome (SRY gene) about the fact that an embryo develops from an egg cell fertilized by a so-called testis-determining factor. If this important protein is missing, no testicles or ovaries work; Babies usually grow as girls and grow into “XY females” with female genitalia, but they are sterile.

In addition to defects in the SRY gene, there are other changes in the geometry on different chromosomes that lead to similar manifestations. Collectively, such genetic changes are referred to as “Swyer-Illness“selected. In addition to the labia, lips and testicles, people with Swyer’s syndrome sometimes have fallopian tubes and uterus. Since there are no functional ovaries, those affected often start treatment hormone replacement during puberty.

Do women have a competitive advantage?

There is no evidence that Imane Khelif could be a trans woman. However, transgender women – people who are actually biologically male and identify as women during their lives – by no means always have a competitive advantage.

This is demonstrated by the current study in the journal “British Journal of Sports Medicine“. For this reason, several dozen “trans athletes” were examined, including 23 transgender athletes and 21 “cis” athletes – i.e. women with a gender identity who still consider themselves women. Although trans athletes perform better in certain performance parameters, their ability to handle increases. However, they have lower jumping power and lung capacity than cisgender women.