In the third episode of the podcast “Tested,” titled “Card-Carrying Females,” we dive into the history of women in the Olympics and how they’ve been unfairly treated just because they are women. The podcast explains that unlike male athletes, female athletes had to go through embarrassing and invasive checks to prove they were women before they could compete. This was all because of the belief that men are naturally better at sports than women, and that women could not compete at the same level.

Katie Barnes discusses this issue in her book “Fair Play,” where she points out a big double standard: men face doping scandals but they never have to prove their gender to compete in sports. Meanwhile, women not only had to deal with these gender tests, but also with people underestimating their abilities in sports just because of their gender.

The episode of “Tested” highlights the struggles and obstacles that female athletes have had to overcome, not just to participate in sports but to be taken seriously. It’s a call to recognize the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair treatment and equality for women in sports. This story is not just about the past; it’s about understanding what still needs to be changed today.

To add to the existing timeline that traces the history of women’s participation and the challenges faced in the realm of sports, I would include the significant case of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s fight for equal pay. This case could be noted around the 2015-2019 period, as it marks a critical turning point in the fight for gender equality in sports.

2015-2019: U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Equal Pay Fight In the wake of their 2015 World Cup victory, members of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team launched a public and legal battle for equal pay, challenging the significant pay disparities between the women’s and men’s national teams. This fight highlighted the ongoing issue of wage inequality in sports and brought widespread public attention and support to the issue, sparking similar movements in other sports and countries. Their efforts culminated in a landmark settlement in February 2022, where they secured equal pay and working conditions comparable to their male counterparts.

It highlights the economic aspects of gender inequality and the continued struggle for fairness and equity in professional sports, serving as a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges and the potential for significant change through sustained advocacy and legal action.

For this exercise, let’s think about how certain sports are often seen as just for boys or just for girls because of old stereotypes. For example, many people think of football and boxing as boy sports, while gymnastics and figure skating are seen as girl sports. This idea starts when kids are young and keeps going even when they are adults playing sports professionally.

Notebook Entry:

I joined the poll and noticed that many sports are still stuck in these old ways of thinking. Football and boxing are mostly thought of as for men, and gymnastics and ballet for women. The results from the poll were pretty much what I expected because these stereotypes are really common. It was interesting to see that some sports like tennis and swimming are seen as okay for both men and women, which shows that things are starting to change a bit.

Reflective Thoughts:

Personally, these stereotypes haven’t stopped me from playing any sport because I believe you should choose sports based on what you like, not what others say is right for boys or girls. However, I know these stereotypes can make it hard for other people to play the sports they really want to. This shows why it’s important to keep working on changing how we think about who can play which sports, so everyone can play what they love without worrying about these old stereotypes.

Sports are often imagined and portrayed as being for one gender more than another. For example, football and wrestling are widely seen as masculine sports, while gymnastics and cheerleading are viewed as feminine. This kind of gender coding is not just common in professional sports but starts as early as in youth competitions, where boys and girls are often encouraged to pursue different types of sports.

After participating in the poll and adding my thoughts on how sports like rugby and volleyball are gender-coded, I noticed that many people still hold traditional views on which sports are suitable for which gender. This confirms my assumption that despite progress in many areas, sports are still heavily gender-coded in the popular imagination. It was surprising to see that some sports, like swimming and track, are beginning to be viewed more neutrally, which is a positive step toward breaking down these old stereotypes.

The responses and the overall trends in the poll show that while there is a shift towards a more inclusive view of sports, many people still see certain sports as meant primarily for one gender. This observation is a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to challenge and change these outdated perceptions and ensure that sports are truly open to everyone, regardless of gender.

The debate around transgender athletes in sports, notably highlighted by the case of Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, raises significant questions about gender identity, fairness, and equality in sports. Katie Barnes addresses the misconception that transgender athletes have inherent advantages in sports, which is not supported by statistical evidence. This issue is often magnified in the media and politics, suggesting a disproportionate focus that might not stem from a genuine concern for sports integrity.

Title IX is central to this discussion, designed to prevent sex-based discrimination, and is invoked by both sides of the debate. Advocates for transgender rights and opponents both use Title IX to argue their cases, showing how complex legal interpretations can become when they intersect with evolving societal values.

The statistic stating that there are fewer than ten transgender athletes among the 510,000 NCAA athletes highlights that the presence of transgender athletes is minimal. This context challenges the argument that transgender athletes are dominating women’s sports, which has not been observed even with inclusive policies in place for over a decade.

Leah Thomas’s point that transgender women competing in women’s sports does not threaten the integrity of these competitions is crucial. It emphasizes that the real issue might be more about societal perceptions and resistance to change rather than actual fairness in sports. Reflecting on this can help us understand the balance needed between inclusivity and fairness, ensuring all athletes are respected and given equal opportunities to compete.

Katie Barnes’ statement that “sports, by design, are not fair” and that “we accept unfairness all the time” is a poignant reminder of the inherent inequalities in competitive sports. Indeed, sports are a microcosm of life’s broader unfairness, as athletes can possess natural advantages or disadvantages based on genetics, upbringing, access to resources, and other factors beyond their control.

The reality of sports is that they often celebrate natural inequalities. For example, a basketball player born with exceptional height has an inherent advantage over shorter players. Similarly, swimmers like Michael Phelps benefit from physiological traits such as a large wingspan and reduced production of lactic acid, which enhance performance. These natural advantages are accepted and even revered, illustrating that sports are not purely about equal opportunity but also about the spectacle and excitement of seeing extraordinary physical feats.

From a broader perspective, the fairness of sports can also be questioned in terms of access and opportunity. Not all athletes have equal access to high-quality training, nutrition, equipment, and facilities, which are crucial for reaching elite levels. This disparity can be seen globally, where athletes from wealthier nations generally have better support systems and infrastructure than those from less affluent countries.