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VIDEO: International organization rules on controversial new women's sports eligibility rule
NEW ORLEANS — In this video exclusive, Endocrine Today Editorial Board Member Tamara Wexler, MD, PhD, a neuroendocrinologist and reproductive endocrinologist, and clinical assistant professor in the department of rehabilitation medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, provides an update about a proposed rule by the International Association of Athletics Federations that would require some female athletes with elevated testosterone levels to reduce those levels to be eligible for international competition.
As Endocrine Today recently reported, the regulation would require any woman who is androgen-sensitive with a circulating testosterone level of at least 5 nmol/L to medically reduce her testosterone to less than 5 nmol/L with the use of an estrogen-containing agent. That level must be maintained for at least 6 months continuously to ensure eligibility.
“Having reviewed the arguments for and against the regulation, it is very clear there are strong feelings on both sides,” Wexler said. “It’s up to the endocrine community to determine what they think is right, as well.”
The rule was due to go into effect in November but was challenged by the South African runner Caster Semenya. The final decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport was expected March 26; however, the organization has postponed the decision until next month, according to published reports.
Watch the video for more.