UN Official States: "Men shouldn’t be in women’s sports competitions"
A UN official stated that male athletes possess an advantage over female athletes and that the sexes should not compete against one another. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, argues that athletes assigned male at birth should not compete in women's sports due to their significant advantage, which creates an unfair and potentially dangerous competition environment. Her remarks come amid a transgender-related controversy surrounding the upcoming Paris Olympics, which has spotlighted safety concerns for participants and raised questions about the integrity of the games.
During a report presented on Thursday, Alsalem cautioned that female athletes could be at risk when competing against biological males in sports. She stated that “a separate category for females is needed to ensure equal, fair and safe opportunities,” highlighting that “multiple studies offer evidence that athletes born male have proven performance advantages in sport throughout their lives.”
Alsalem further asserted that diluting eligibility criteria in single-sex sports would lead to “unfair, unlawful and extreme forms of discrimination against female athletes.” Therefore, she urged sports governing bodies to “ensure that female categories in organized sport are exclusively accessible to persons whose biological sex is female” in order to maintain fair competition.
Additionally, she emphasized that if an athlete's sex is “unknown or uncertain,” they should undergo genetic testing with dignity, such as through a cheek swab.
Alsalem acknowledged that while her report is independent and holds a degree of authoritative weight, it will not carry legal binding implications. Nonetheless, she expressed hope that it would enrich the dialogue surrounding human rights.
This report arises in the context of a gender controversy at the Paris Olympics, specifically regarding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who secured a gold medal in women’s boxing. Khelif faced disqualification from competition last year by the International Boxing Association after a DNA test indicated ineligibility to compete among women. She has denied allegations of being born a biological male and has complained about facing “online harassment.”
In response to the ongoing debate, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach remarked that there is not “a scientifically solid system how to identify men and women,” claiming that chromosome testing is inadequate for clearly distinguishing between the sexes. The IOC has stated that Khelif's eligibility was determined based on her passport, which identifies her as a woman.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
During a report presented on Thursday, Alsalem cautioned that female athletes could be at risk when competing against biological males in sports. She stated that “a separate category for females is needed to ensure equal, fair and safe opportunities,” highlighting that “multiple studies offer evidence that athletes born male have proven performance advantages in sport throughout their lives.”
Alsalem further asserted that diluting eligibility criteria in single-sex sports would lead to “unfair, unlawful and extreme forms of discrimination against female athletes.” Therefore, she urged sports governing bodies to “ensure that female categories in organized sport are exclusively accessible to persons whose biological sex is female” in order to maintain fair competition.
Additionally, she emphasized that if an athlete's sex is “unknown or uncertain,” they should undergo genetic testing with dignity, such as through a cheek swab.
Alsalem acknowledged that while her report is independent and holds a degree of authoritative weight, it will not carry legal binding implications. Nonetheless, she expressed hope that it would enrich the dialogue surrounding human rights.
This report arises in the context of a gender controversy at the Paris Olympics, specifically regarding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who secured a gold medal in women’s boxing. Khelif faced disqualification from competition last year by the International Boxing Association after a DNA test indicated ineligibility to compete among women. She has denied allegations of being born a biological male and has complained about facing “online harassment.”
In response to the ongoing debate, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach remarked that there is not “a scientifically solid system how to identify men and women,” claiming that chromosome testing is inadequate for clearly distinguishing between the sexes. The IOC has stated that Khelif's eligibility was determined based on her passport, which identifies her as a woman.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
