Athletics and sports are more about skills than the players’ physical attributes. The strategies employed by the athletes during the competition play a significant role in determining whether they win or not. Different skills and techniques can be used by all athletes regardless of their gender. Student-athletes can compete in athletes according to the gender they identify. However, competition is not just about winning or losing. It is about fairness and standards to ensure that the ground is leveled for all the athletes to compete fairly. Without a standard ground, it would be difficult for the athletes and their coaches to identify their strengths and weaknesses, essential in preparing for future competitions (Friedrich, 2022). It would also be difficult to judge the credibility of results in a competition that was not fair.
Gender is one of the critical factors determining whether the ground is even for the athletes to compete. A common ground gives all the athletes equal chances of achieving their targets. Therefore allowing student-athletes to compete in athletics with the gender they identify rather than the gender they represent is likely to interfere with the fairness of the sport. It is essential to acknowledge the biological differences between males and females. Males produce more testosterone, which is responsible for developing muscles and strength. Females also produce testosterone in smaller quantities than men, therefore having less muscle and strength (Friedrich, 2022). However, this does not mean that women are inherently inferior in athletics. Studies have shown that increased physical activities and training can make female athletes achieve the same level of strength as their male counterparts, only that their level of training has to be higher than that of the male.
Previous results from major international athletic competitions indicate that elite male athletes perform better than their female counterparts. For instance, the results for 100m in the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics indicate the first five male athletes finished with 9.80, 9.84, 9.89, 9.93, and 9.98 seconds. On the other hand, the first five female athletes finished with 10.61, 10.74, 10.76, 10.91, and 10.97 seconds (Friedrich, 2022). Therefore, it is clear that if the two groups were to compete together, then no female would appear in the top five. Consequently, it is significant that rules exist that require athletes to participate in the gender they represent rather than in the gender they identify with. This will ensure that every athlete competes in a field that gives them and their counterparts a chance to win.
On the positive side, allowing student-athletes to compete under the gender they identify will motivate them to be at the same level as elite athletes of that gender. This is also better to address the popular notion that a particular gender is inherently stronger, especially when the perceived inferior gender wins in such competitions. Allowing athletes to compete according to their gender demonstrates that sports are not about the competitor’s physical appearance but skills and passion.
In conclusion, there are consequences and benefits of allowing athletes to compete based on the gender they identify with. Allowing athletes to compete regardless of their gender may effectively address gender segregation often shown in sports. However, it may tilt the rule of fairness in competition and give particular gender the upper hand in winning the competition, which can be viewed as another notion of gender inequalities due to biased standards.
Reference
Friedrich, C. (2022). Gender & Athletic Ability: Are Men Really Better Athletes Than Women?. Cathe.com. Web.