Excellent podcast!! My only criticism is that the author should have also interviewed women athletes in the middle of the trait distribution and asked them about their questions and feelings. The podcast rightly focuses on complexities and inclusion but the complexity and potential pain involves everybody in the distribution of a trait. I do think a lot of people in the major sport organizations are trying to do their best with an incredibly complex and painful issue that affects athlete lives. To sum up, while I really enjoyed the podcast and admire the intention of explaining this difficult topic and the pain of the affected athletes, I think it was a bit too partisan. Nevertheless, it’s a great listen! So thank you!
As a non binary person who struggled so much growing up with feelings of self hatred, shame, and feeling like the world did not want me included in it, this podcast is so validating and important. If we could draw on our empathy and really understand what trans and gender variant people go through we wouldn’t be so caught up in thinking that medals and upholding the binary was so crucial. Thank you for such a thorough, thoughtful and beautiful expose and story.
Perfect when you want something serious, factual, and about important questions, but not the least bit dull.
This is about issues that are very topical and perplexing and feature interviews with sympathetic people who are caught in the midst of it. The host is thoughtful and engaging; she’s a pleasure to listen to and seems open-minded and curious on the question of « what is fair? »
She also does a great job putting this into a historical context. The difference between what people generally think on these matters today and what « we » thought 100 years ago is mind-blowing.
As a masters athlete in powerlifting, the research is appreciated--highlighting the hypocrisy--the contradictions....the fight for women to be free to be who we are, for athletes to continue to push competitive boundaries.....and exposing that the binary is a social construct. Thank you.
Such informative, engrossing, and inspiring reporting. Thank you for making this podcast, diving deep into this topic, and telling these athletes stories. I hope this helps make positive change for more inclusive sports at all levels
This review is a remarkable piece of journalism! It thoroughly examines the discriminatory policing of female athlete bodies, revealing how scientific facts are being distorted and women, as well as female minority groups, are being targeted systematically. The fact that male athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD) are not subjected to similar testing exposes how hormone levels are used to discriminate against female athletes. It's disheartening to see this happening, and I truly hope for a future where we can rise above such practices.
Well I agree that they DSD biology tests r very flawed this reporter, instead of actually trying to answer questions does press ops for dsd runners and never explored the other side of the debate.
A well researched and well done podcast. I’m old enough to remember watching Sebastian Coe run in the Olympics. His attitude could well be a victim of his British training and upbringing during the 60’s, just a guess.
Human beings, men and women, are all blessed with natural gifts, for athletes naturally occurring characteristics, physically and chemically are included. This means that for these athletes it is their norm. To suggest otherwise is simply disingenuous. Which leads me to the next point…
This issue is being fought in the wrong way. If the IOC insists on testing then one has to advocate for testing men as well. There are men who have much higher naturally occurring testosterone than their competitors who also compete at a higher level. They test for performance enhancing drugs in men, why not high levels of naturally occurring testosterone, same thing or no?
Coe can justify his actions any way he wants but the fact is, he’s discriminating and he’s wrong.
After the topic of DSD athletes got more mainstream attention during the 2024 Olympics, I was looking for resources to learn more. This series did an incredible job of providing context and stories to help understand a challenging and nuanced issue. I highly recommend it.
For the 10 years that the reporter stated that she worked on this story, it was biased in favor of DSD athletes, over other athletes. There are facts offhandedly mentioned in that the top female run time is typical of male high school times and on average, men have a 10-12% advantage over women. These are examples of reasons to have females compete separately. The complexities and history is well described, but she doesn’t give voice to the majority of females that are not in the gray gender category. She does list off some potential solutions in the last episode, but not enough attention is given to the pros and cons of each.
Well researched story. I enjoyed the historical context provided. One area that I think was lacking was viewpoints from the source of these regulations, like who specifically are asking for these changes and why.
Thank you for this story. I wept for the women who were denied the opportunity to run. I had never heard of dsd and this explained so much to me. The episode about the genetic advantages that some men have should end the discussion.
I was very much looking forward to a helpful and honest discussion on options for dealing with this very challenging situation in sports. Instead we got another tale of oppressor and oppressed with no effort to contribute or problem solve.
Tested is an outstanding piece of journalism! Rose carefully peels the layers of a difficult subject. All without getting preachy or telling the listener what to believe.
It was timed perfectly with the Olympics. And now I have to reconsider my views on fairness in sports.
Rose Eveleth is a natural storyteller and truly great reporter. Together with an extensive and dedicated team, she brings us a rich and complex story encompassing athletics history, and our nature as humans to categorize as a means of control. If you’re on the fence, please hop over and give this gem of a podcast a listen.
This is an incredible podcast that shines light on the encompassing and historical issue of women athletics, how women are attempted to be categorized, and the individuals who don’t fit that category in the lab are required to change to continue. It has greatly increased my knowledge and understanding of this topic and I really appreciate your information!
I just binged the entire podcast. Very informative. TY for mentioning the distinction/difference between DSD and trans athletes. Looking forward to the episode where non-DSD athletes are asked how they feel about competing against DSD athletes. Keep up the good work!
Well told story with an amazing host. I think this story is so important. Have been telling anyone with ears to listen. I hope this gets the recognition it deserves because it’s taken too long to give women in athletics the respect they deserve.
so grateful to Rose for this deep and complicated reporting. cannot imagine how much must have hit the cutting room floor for a story to be this efficiently & richly told. looking forward to following along in the newsletter and, yes, relistening.
Absolutely incredible, important, and timely deep dive into what is fair in athletics and the surprisingly sticky question of who gets to compete as a woman in sports. Very well researched and thorough, and like everything else Rose does, it is engaging and approachable from beginning to end.
This podcast series is valuable for the insight it provides into the whole issue of women competing on the world stage. Every episode builds on the questions around this - with important questions raised about who gets to compete and who doesn’t. Superb work!
That it is not once mentioned in the first episode that most of these DSD athletes’ high testosterone is the result of having XY chromosomes is at best negligence and at worst a calculated decision to mislead listeners.
Something on par with the first season of Serial!! Possibly even better!!
Host has an amazing voice, channeling Sarah Koenig, but not a copycat. The story is equally compelling, and also timely, with Olympics coming up.
I cannot wait for the next episode!
Was recommended to listen to this podcast from another one (shout out to Ali Ward @ologies) and I’m so glad I did! ❤️
Um Hello, I have been listening to podcasts for a long time. (Gen 1 iPod and a translucent blue iMac era). Rose is one of the best in the game. Give everything Rose does a shot. You will not be disappointed.
