Tag Archive for 'CAAWS'

NOTICE: The Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] approves jurisdiction – to file legal case: “Human Rights and the Oppression of Women’s Gender in International Sport”

NOTICE
The Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] in Lausanne Switzerland, has approved jurisdiction to enable us to file legal case: “Human Rights and the Oppression of Women’s Gender in International Sport” to be issued by Kristen Worley (Canada) Cycling and Mianne Bagger (Denmark) Golf  v/International Olympic Committee [IOC].
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Three (3) Key Recent References:

Volume 9 Issue 6 – June 2011 World Sports Law Report
Eligibility: The IAAF hyperandrogenism regulations and discrimination
Author: Shawn Crincoli – Associate Professor of Law

Touro College, New York, USA.
For Full Article “Click Here”

Volume 9 Issue 4 – April 2011 World Sports Law Report
IAAF: hyperandrogenism rules are challenge proof
Author: Andy Brown [WSLR], UK.
For Full Article “Click Here”

NYTimes – April 24th, 2011 – Redefining the Sexes in Unequal Terms

Author: Prof. Alice Dreger, clinical medical humanities and bioethics.

Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Chicago, Illinois, USA.
For Full Article “Click Here”

Published July 2011

NY Times April 23rd, 2011 Sports – ESSAY – Redefining the Sexes in Unequal Terms

This article  is a reflection of Canada’s commitment and leadership to diversity, social ethics and inclusion. In April, we convened in Ottawa as a select panel, hosted by the Canadian Centre of Ethics in Sport.  Unanimously condemning gender testing and the Stockholm Consensus despite the sorry history of which they were designed too medicalize women and the definition of womanhood, taking expression of embodied gender identity out of the very hands of the very humans involved , and setting up many other young people for the devastating treatment that Caster Semenya experienced. Moreover, it flies in the face of the overwhelming evidence of the tremendous homonal variability among humans.

NY Times ESSAY – Sports
Redefining the Sexes in Unequal Terms

April 23, 2011

The good news is that the International Olympic Committee and the International Association of Athletics Federations, the governing body for track and field, have worked hard to come up with a new policy to deal with athletes whose sex development is unusual.

Although sports officials contend that this reworking is not a specific response to the fiasco surrounding the South African runner Caster Semenya, what happened to Semenya constitutes reason enough to seek reform. Surely no athlete should learn from watching television, as Semenya did, that her sex has been called in question on the international stage. And no athletes should have to face the previous patchwork policy on sex testing, wondering what will happen if their particular condition is not clearly explained in the rules.

The new policy no longer allows any room for a simplistic “I know it when I see it” approach to who counts as a female athlete. Women who test in the male range for functional testosterone will have to have their levels chemically squashed in order to play. (Functional testosterone means not just the amount the body makes, but also how the body responds to it, because some people’s cells lack receptors to respond.)

The bad news is that the new policy seems sexist in its philosophy. Indeed, it is so sexist that it may even count as a violation of Title IX, which will matter because the international policies will undoubtedly trickle down to school-based sports.

The hormones in question are not naturally exclusive to men. Women and men naturally make androgens — sometimes called strength-building hormones — including testosterone.

Yet despite the fact that testosterone belongs to women, too, the I.O.C. and the I.A.A.F. are basically saying it is really a manly thing: “You can have functional testosterone, but if you make too much, you’re out of the game because you’re not a real woman.”

To my knowledge, there is no equivalent of this biochemical policing in men’s sports. If a man has a mutation that gives him a big advantage — say he makes lots of testosterone — he can count that as a natural advantage. Indeed, at least now, men and women are allowed all other advantageous biochemical mutations.

The idea behind this policy is to make a move toward creating the mythical level playing field. But what is really being leveled here is the bodies of female athletes. Thus the game being played seems to be a kind of controlling who will count as a sexually appropriate woman: submit to being made sexually “normal” through hormone treatments or you cannot compete.

The I.O.C. and the track federation would probably say that the typical man’s functional testosterone level is orders of magnitude higher than the typical woman’s. True enough, but the same large variations could be true for other naturally occurring differences between classes of athletes, and yet it is only women who are being limited in terms of natural biochemical advantage.

At a meeting hosted by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport last week in Ottawa, a group of us mulled over this problem. We were all sympathetic to the I.O.C. and I.A.A.F.’s struggle. Sports has surely grown up past the age of sexual innocence, but it has not found its way. There is no perfect solution, one that is reasonably objective, universally applicable and universally satisfying.

Yet this newly proposed biological reduction of women to a hormonally disadvantaged class of people — one medically made disadvantaged, if necessary — struck many of us as regressive from the standpoint of women’s rights. Indeed, it reminds me of those itty-bitty shorts that college women’s volleyball players must wear. They each sexualize the bodies of female athletes as a requirement of play. They each insist that a woman never be manly.

In Ottawa, I met the former Olympian Bruce Kidd, a leader in international sports policy who served for nearly two decades as the dean of the faculty of physical education and health at the University of Toronto.

In a follow-up e-mail correspondence, he wrote: “How can the I.O.C. and I.A.A.F. claim that they support the full inclusion of women when they reimpose a medical test for their very identity? It’s a huge setback for human rights and the integrity of the Olympic movement.”

Alice Dreger is a professor of clinical medical humanities and bioethics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

Goto Full Article – “Click Here”

Published April 26, 2011

Bolt redefined “limit” of how fast a “MAN” can run – Johnson


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Bolt redefined “limit” of how fast a “MAN” can run – Johnson
Jamaica Observer
Monday April 18th, 2011

Timely Article – Interview with Usain Bolts coach Brooks Johnson speaking on how
Usain’s performances changed the landscape on what the limits are to human performance and pushing those limits.

Important to note:

Coach Johnson must be speaking about “MENS” performances as there are “NO” placed “LIMITS” based on ones MALE gender and or physiology or naturally producing high hormone levels. In-fact, those very facets are exploited and pursued in male high performance sport, as coach Johnson suggests about Usain Bolts unique competitive advantage and physiology is in-fact seen as taking to a whole new level and chasing human limitations.

Where in the case of women, as the IOC and IAAF have just done by further the medicalization of women and their gender, which flies in the face of overwhelming evidence of the tremendous hormonal variability in women, of which most most if not the majority of high performance women have, which assists like the men, with other physiology qualities makes them high performance competitors in their given sport.

The IOC and IAAF, feel they are empowered OVER women to DENY women the fairness and ability to compete, perform at their very best, by regulating imposing standards of womens gender and physiology. Solely imposing standards by men of womens gender, and allowing men to run and or participate with NO LIMITS in-fact promoted, by men for men.

Coach Johnson’s comments reflects the true narrative of the issues of gender in sport as it pertains women and mens development and participation in sport.

“MONTEGO BAY, St James — Legendary American track and field coach Brooks Johnson says that the exploits of Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt is helping to change people’s perception of the limit of the human body to run faster.”

Coach Johnson further stating:

“The beautiful thing about Bolt is that he can inspire people in other events to do what he did in his events, to totally change the landscape, to totally change the perception of what is the limit or close to the limit of human performance and that is what you see…”

For Full Article Review “Click Here”
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Another Key Reference:

Hold on to your hats: scientists do not know how fast people can run. A leading expert believes it could be many years before we understand the limits of human performance
By Anna Kessel

The Observer
Sunday 21 November 2010

As Anna notes unknowingly, when we speak of “scientists do not know how fast people run or human physical limits,”limits, as her article indicates is based on solely mens performances… Her article specifically reflects this.

As the IOC/IAAF have created continued physical barriers for women to seek the same and or above performances. Of which, MEN the “PEOPLE” she is speaking of, are in-fact just MEN. WOMEN are not “PEOPLE” in sport thus justifies humiliating practices of gender testing to prove womanhood, and barriers to women’s position in sport, moreover to seek best performances with NO LIMITATIONS as men have enjoyed in high performance sport.

Gender testing, Stockholm Consensus and recent statements by the IOC/IAAF reflect this very clearly, to continue to oppress ALL women, women performances and excellence at the International and Olympic levels of sport participation.

Published April 18th, 2011

For Immediate Release: Response Letter – Chris Dolan, Lana Lawless lawyer – CNN’s article – Transsexual golfers prove drivers for change

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Dear Mr. Dolan,

I have a couple of questions for you – I was quite interested in your response to CNN – reading over morning coffee.

You expressed;
“He told CNN: “It is easy for Mianne Bagger to have those views because she was well-established on her European tour. The view from the top always looks rosier.”

Could you explain, how one Mianne is established in the European Tour? She in-fact broke through (2) tours to participate as a female in professional golf. As well have been working with ALL tours over the last couple of years very progressively -

Could you as well explain your comment when you spoke about Mianne;
“The view from the top always looks rosier”

You never knowing Mianne, moreover her life experience to over the last (8) years what she has experienced and the level of hate she has had to overcome to play the game she is so passionate about. I would suggest you use GOOGLE as a starting point, before you make such comment;

“The ‘female at birth’ ruling had been set in stone and despite Miss Bagger’s good intentions over the years, nothing had been changed and there was no indication that things would have been changed,” added Dolan.

Yet again you are incorrect – and have been working with all (5) tours on this, and Anti-doping… Mianne has made enormous progress for golf, and is why she is so supported and loved by ALL tours, including the LPGA. As well an educator and well supported amongst national, International, Olympic and Anti-doping circles… Engaging  ALL sport around diversity and normal human difference which impacts each one of us -

So it is clear, as a collective we are working with International sport, Olympic, International and anti-doping partners US and European meeting/collaborating over the next few months to bring global change, led by Canada. This will no longer be an issue in sport as the goals are focused for 2011, prior to London Olympics in 2012. As 2012, will have the most diverse participation in any games history to date.

This is what Mianne Bagger has done – at great risk to her personally and her professional career. She unselfishly has sacrificed herself for the betterment of others.

She(our) focus is much different then yours and your clients. We made clear to you several times, we are NOT the same nor do we support your agenda, and clearly it is personal, and NOT reflective of greater interest of sport, women and of diversity.

Continue reading ‘For Immediate Release: Response Letter – Chris Dolan, Lana Lawless lawyer – CNN’s article – Transsexual golfers prove drivers for change’

Public Health Agency of Canada Questions & Answers: Gender Identity in Schools

Public Health Agency of Canada
Questions & Answers: Gender Identity in Schools

First published in 1994 and revised in 2003 and 2008, the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education (Guidelines) were developed to assist professionals working in the area of health promotion and sexual health education in programming which supports positive sexual health outcomes. Feedback from a national evaluation of the Guidelines indicated the need for companion documents to provide more detailed information,,evidence and resources on specific issues. In response, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) identified a ‘question and answer’ format as an appropriate way to provide information to educators and other professional working with school aged populations. The Questions and Answers styled documents are intended to cover a range of topics reflecting current issues in sexual health education with school-aged populations, are evidence-based and use inclusive language as reflected in the Guidelines.

This document, Questions & Answers: Gender Identity in Schools, is intended to address the most commonly asked questions regarding the gender identity of youth in school settings.  The goal of this resource is to assist educators, curriculum and program planners, school administrators, policy-makers and health professionals in the creation of supportive and healthy school environments for youth struggling with issues of gender identity.
Revised Document Published – April 8th, 2010

Download English Version of PDF Document – “Click Here”
Download French Version of PDF Document – “Click Here”

ISLBC – International Sport Law, Business Conference, Istanbul September 6th -7th, 2010.


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Keynote Panelist
Gender Issues in Sport Summit – September 6th and & 7th, 2010.

Gender identification, intersex types, inclusion, discrimination, gender testing science and health, legal and policy impact, and future directions.

For Further Conference Details “Click Here”

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The Times of India – Hope to return Santhi her dignity: Worley

The Times of India -

Kristen Worley is a Canadian high performance track cyclist who has been speaking publicly on issues of gender discrimination and treatment of gender variant athletes.

She is also co-founder of Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport formed in 2009 to address the IOC Gender Policy. Worley’s activism recently ensured world sporting bodies lift the ban on South African runner Caster Semenya, who had to sit out for 11 months after the world champion’s gold medal was revoked as she failed ‘gender tests’.

Published – August 1st, 2010

For Full Article – “CLICK HERE”
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The Times of India – Semenya backer now takes up Santhi’s case

The Times of India - Semenya backer now takes up Santhi’s case

Nandita Sengupta, TNN, Jul 31, 2010, 03.35am IST

NEW DELHI: There is hope yet for athlete Santhi Soundarajan. The Tamil Nadu athlete was barred from racing and stripped of the silver medal she won at Doha’s Asian Games in 2006 after failing gender tests.

But now Canada-based elite cyclist Kristen Worley, who successfully fought for South African athlete Caster Semenya, has taken up her case.

Published – July 31, 2010

For Full Article – “CLICK HERE”
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For Immediate Release: Sport leaders say ‘no more’ to IOC gender discrimination



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2010
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Sport leaders say ‘no more’ to IOC gender discrimination

Toronto, Canada: The Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport has released the official alternative to the current International Olympic Committee (IOC) Gender Policy. Kristen Worley is a Canadian high performance track cyclist who has been speaking publicly on the issues of gender discrimination and the treatment of gender variant athletes and has recently taken on a new role as a co-founder of the Coalition.

“Gender is not a black and white issue,” remarks Worley, “and the treatment that some athletes have endured in the name of proving one’s gender is so far removed from the spirit of the Olympic movement of modern day. As an athlete who has experienced the challenges of the current antiquated policy it is just thrilling to see this group come together and develop a sound alternative.”

The Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport was formed in 2009 to address the IOC Gender Policy. In addition to gender equity, the Coalition seeks a sport system that is open to all people, at all levels of participation recognizing in particular those previously excluded from the narrow definition of what is assumed normal human development.

The release of the position statement coincides with the IOC Gender Summit which will be taking place on January 16th, 2010 in Miami. With only a few short weeks before the opening of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the Coalition is hopeful that sport leaders take note and join together finally saying ‘no more’ to archaic and discriminatory practices in the name of fair play.

To Read Entire Press Release Document – “Click Here” to Download
Published – January 2010
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Key References

The Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport – Position Statement
The Guiding Principles for Inclusion in Sport
* Presented to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) January 7th, 2010

Goto Online Petition and let the IOC here your Athletes Voice “Click Here”
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The Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport – Position Statement

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The Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport – Position Statement
The Guiding Principles for Inclusion in Sport

* Presented to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) January 7th, 2010

We seek equity of opportunity in sport – a “level playing field” so that each person can compete against the other fairly.

We seek to assure that an inclusive sport system is open to all people, at all levels of participation. We believe that the rules of organized sport have for too long marginalized or excluded people for reasons other than their athletic ability.

Because we value sport, we seek inclusion for the maximum number of people in sport, particularly for those excluded from the narrow definition of what is assumed normal human development.

Contributors to Development of Document -
Ms. Ann Peel – Canada
Ms. Kristen Worley – Canada
Mr. Eli Wolff- United States of America

As the “OFFICIAL ALTERNATIVE to Current IOC Gender Policy – in direct response and concern of the forthcoming “IOC Gender Summit” January 16th, in Miami Florida.

The Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport – Position Statement
The Guiding Principles for Inclusion in Sport

We seek equity of opportunity in sport – a “level playing field” so that each person can compete against the other fairly.

We seek to assure that an inclusive sport system is open to all people, at all levels of participation. We believe that the rules of organized sport have for too long marginalized or excluded people for reasons other than their athletic ability.

Because we value sport, we seek inclusion for the maximum number of people in sport, particularly for those excluded from the narrow definition of what is assumed normal human development.

To Read Entire Document – “Click Here” to Download
Published – January 2010

The Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport advocates an inclusive sport system

The Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport advocates an inclusive sport system open to all people, at all levels of participation. We believe that the rules of organized sport have for too long marginalized or excluded people for reasons other than their athletic ability.

In January the International Olympic Committee is hosting a summit on gender and sport. Recently, the IOC has made decisions that have a very negative impact on women. The decision to exclude female ski jumpers at the Vancouver Olympic Games, thus requiring Canada to host an event that discriminates on the basis of gender in a country in which gender discrimination is prohibited, is very discouraging to Canadians whose laws will be violated.

Goto Online Petition and let the IOC here your Athletes Voice “Click Here”

In addition, the IOC’s long history of persecuting women who do not fit the IOC’s narrow definition of gender, has a humiliating and extremely upsetting impact on these women and is a violation of their dignity.

As athletes committed to inclusive sport and the shared values of the Olympic movement, and to human compassion for all living beings, we urge the IOC to commit to equitable and inclusive sport processes, that do not marginalize a person based on culture, sexuality, gender, physical ability or any other factor that is irrelevant to a person’s actual (rather than assumed) ability to participate in sport.

We request that the IOC work with and listen to international professionals inrelevant fields of expertise, international and national sport governing bodies, women’s and men’s organizations, and athletes who have been marginalized and effected by policies created by the IOC. IOC policies directly effect athletes lives, and their participation in high performance sport.

Because of the IOC’s accountability to sport and its participants, we urge the IOC to ensure complete transparency of any policy that directly affect the development and assurance of equitable sport. As the Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport, we seek to assure a sport system that is inclusive, safe and sustainable. We urge the IOC to aspire to similar goals that truly reflect the evolution of the Olympic Movement and its values in modern society.

Goto Online Petition and let the IOC here your Athletes Voice “Click Here

Published December 2009

University of Toronto, City-Wide Sports Medicine Rounds


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University of Toronto, City-Wide Sports Medicine Rounds

Gender and Sport: Addressing the Needs of Our Athletes
December 11th, 2009, 7:30 am – 9:00 am

Speakers: Dr. Caroline Fusco, Kristen Worley and Dr. Chris Cavacuiti

Moderator: Dr. Lee Schofield

Download PDF Poster – “Click Here”

CTV National News – Kristen’s Third Interview “Semenya To Keep Medal”

CTV National News – Kristen’s live interview in response to Caster Semenya from South Africa, 800m runner - Canadian elite track cyclist Kristen Worley says the decision is a big victory for advocates and gender variant/intersex athletes, but she is still concerned by all the speculation over the gender tests.

Thursday November 19th, 2009
To review interview, “Click Here”

IOC Gender Summit Missing the Mark – Canada needs to be at the table in Miami in January

IOC Gender Summit – Missing The Mark - Canadian Government and Sport Leaders need to be at the table in Miami in January – To set a solid future and foundation on how we understand gender and future direction of women in the global sports system.

The upcoming IOC Gender Summit in Miami Florida in January prior to the Vancouver Winter Games in February – We must assure Canada is at the table in these meetings, as Canada has proven leadership over the last several years and most recently with our efforts leading the issues of gender in sport, the need to support diverse bodies in sport, impact on women in sport, anti-doping – TUE success, and moreover the massive human rights implications that the IOC has created fraught with ignorance in world sport, by their policies that have been in past created in a silo by few, when should be opened to experts, not just in Canada but universally around the world as these decisions by few, will effectively effect the entire system.

The IOC got is grossly wrong with the Stockholm Consensus six years ago, with the very same “experts”, some being orthopedic surgeons making decisions on gender. Makes you wonder at this level, when logic tells you, you would never hire a orthopedic surgeon to do neurosurgery, then why is it okay then for the IOC to let a orthopedic surgeon become a gender expert?  It really begs a lot of questions of the IOC’s process let alone qualifications to such an important matter, effecting all sport?

This whole process is fraught with problems, let alone the problem of lacking expertise, no women at the table nor countries, NSO or professional sport bodies that have their experiences to share. Nope, the IOC sticks their heads in the sand, and take the typical silo approach, knowingly they have created such harm to so many women.  They should surrender themselves, sit back and listen to the experts or one more woman will fall shortly after this summit once again. The incidences we have seen will continue if we allow the IOC to go down this path.

Dr. Arne Ljungqvist’s IOC Medical Commission Chair, comments to the Associated Press on October 27, 2009 stating, “

“Sometimes you come across cases that are uncertain and ambiguous, and it changes from being a sports matter to a medical matter,” Ljungqvist told The A.P. “That’s where we need to have a review.”

Over several years and interacting with the IOC and with Dr. Ljungqvist it was stunning to read this response from him in the AP. Clearly illustrating the pressure finally got to him and his colleagues of what they have known for years their polices have created, even weeks before IOC chief Jacques Rogge comments to the AP during a telephone interview that this was an IAAF problem attempting to resolve the IOC’s connection to this incident knowing the human rights impact this will have on the IOC if found a connection - the public outcry became to much, because people became more educated worldwide over several weeks of the profound media indulgence during and after the incident in with young Caster Semenya of South Africa at the Berlin World Championships, Ljungqvist and the IOC Medical Commission still appear they do not get it, even after all of what has been said and done. Truly Incredible!

Moreover what is most frightening, that the IOC responds like this assuming expertise, of which for decades of failed and horrible policy, gender and sex testing of women, they assume this responsibility on their own.  We as Joe public accept this of them, never thinking where this all began in the first place.

A simple example to explain and illustrate clearly the issues impacting the international sports system, like Caster and other incredible women that have fallen to failed IOC policy do to social ignorance on how we understand each other, that this is not an issue of gender variance or intersex, but one of greater concern and issue effecting the each one of us in the greater system of sport.

Please see example below –

When asked the question; Do you think Caster Semenya should still be allowed to compete?

My Response;

Usain Bolt and Mike Phelps get to compete – are you saying because Caster is a woman, and that she has unique characteristics as a woman though she did not set a World’s meet record, nor a women’s 800m record.  Women have run faster before her, that she is ineligible to compete?

Where as, we accept Usain Bolt and Mike Phelps performances, blowing away the fields of which they compete and continually applaud their performances saying “Go faster even…” They have unique features and competitive advantage against their male competitors, but they are NOT sex or genetically tested?

They get a pass because they are men?

If you are to apply this question to Caster you must take a broader position of these men too.  Stop focusing on her Inter-sex type – it is fogging the reality of what is really going on here.  Though the public release of her circumstances is profoundly illegal, it is our fascination and social struggle with sex and gender that has caused this. Sport is manmade by humans for humans, which depicts the social barriers that physically exist is a small window of greater society.

WHAT GENETIC TYPE IS USAIN BOLT or MIKE PHELPS?…. WHY AREN’T WE TEARING THEM DOWN?  WHAT IS “UNCERTAIN” AND  OR “AMBIGUOUS” ABOUT THEM THAT ALLOWS THEM TO OUT PERFORM THEIR CLOSEST COMPETITORS?

Using the very same model being applied to Caster, neither Usain Bolt nor Mike Phelps should be allowed to compete either, knowing their physiological advantages over their closest competitors, in both cases the fastest male athletes in the world.  When either Usain or Mike show up to an event, the question remains who will be second or third in the final.

The media and general public need to ask greater questions, and not be spoon-fed by the IOC, and assume because they are the IOC (Power of a Brand) know what they are talking about and have the expertise to project they do. They don’t, we all failed Caster Semenya and dozens of women before her, watching her complete destruction.

The focus is not because Caster has a common intersex type, the issue is actually women’s performance, and how we are not accepting of exceptional performance, and that we tear women down and applaud men, and in-fact ask them to run or swim faster, asking NO questions of them – But women we do, WHY?

This is ALL about how we do sport ...

Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine November 2009, Newsletter – Pgs.11-13
PDF Newsletter From CASM – Click HERE

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CBC Radio One “The Current” Monday September 21st, 2009
For Full Half Hour Interview “CLICK” Here To Listen (Scroll Down To Part 3)
Interviewed
Canadian Elite Track Cyclist – Kristen Worley

Expert Panelists
Doug MacQuarrie - Director of the Canadian Centre of Ethics in Sport (CCES)
Myron Genel - Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Yale University

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The IOC Medical Commission and Dr. Ljungqvist once again proving how uneducated and poorly referenced he is to carry  and lead the Gender Summit on his own in January. Ljungqvist’s announcement is only a media acknowledgment by the IOC, to give an impression they are concerned publicly because of the public outrage that has ensued, where just (3) years ago, the said “they did not care…”, now (3) more women have fallen since and (9) women in the last five years in seven other sports, and over (20) women over the last several decades.

“We Punish Difference in our society… and feel we have a right to do it!”

Though I support the summit, it is vital that the proper expertise is present, representing the key issues, to move dialogue and education forward.

CTV National News – Kristen’s Interview – Friday September 11th, 2009
To review interview, “Click Here”

What needs to be clear, the IOC has known about this for several years, hence Canada’s move to create a broader education within sport, because of the horrific history the IOC has played on policy in sport, that has profoundly impacted dozens of women, women’s growth into sport and High Performance circles.

Canada’s AthletesCAN Releases Discussion Paper
“Including Transitioned and Transitioning Athletes in Sport”
Issues, Facts and Perspectives - Published May 29th, 2009
View Science and Literary Reviews – “Click HERE”

Caster’s situation though horrific, what needs to be understood because of her courage, that this has opened a window and new language in the international sports system, that is asking greater questions of the International Olympic Committee internationally and future role of the IOC in sport governance, women’s engagement and development in sport, how we do sport, how policy is created, and who is creating it?

This Gender Summit could not be more important. The IOC cannot assume they can continue to work in this vacuum of which they have done historically, “illustrating how out of touch they are of modern society” as they go down this path, and continue to illustrate they don’t get it, making decisions that have profound impact on athletes and women in sport. It is time we put a stop to this, and assure the IOC recognizes this history, and that what has happened to Caster Semenya and women before her, that this is not an IAAF issue, but a decorated history of failed IOC policy creating a process of policy that is exclusive not inclusive under their guidelines.

Change must happen now, or we will see more women fall as we saw young Caster do, and as heartbreaking as it was for everyone watching around the globe, that we have a chance to say to the IOC;

This will no longer happen in world sport and to any other woman ever again.

WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM… Education is so key going forward.

*Please see below references.

IOC biggest threat to future of global sport- Hindustan Times
Interview with Kristen Worley
Published – October 2007
Hindustan Times – View Full Article

Who decides what is the definition of a woman- Hindustan Times
Interview with Mianne Bagger
Published – October 2007
Hindustan Times – View Full Article

Canadian cyclist “peddles” for Santhi – Hindustan Times
Published – October 2007
Hindustan Times – View Full Article

Punishing Difference – Express Buzz
Published – January 2009
Express Buzz – View Full Article

Open Letter – Jacques Rogge - International Olympic Committee -
January 2009

Releasing Ms. Santhi Soundarajan as the “martyr” of the IOC’s failed sex and
gender policy in International sport

Kristen Worley’s website – View Full Letter

Other Key Academic and Scientific Reviews

Canada’s AthletesCAN Releases Discussion Paper
“Including Transitioned and Transitioning Athletes in Sport”
Issues, Facts and Perspectives
Published May 29th, 2009
View Full Papers

Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine Position Statement
Gender Verification in Sport
Published 1997
View Full Paper

For Further In-depth Resources and Contacts.

Kristen Worley - www.kristenworley.ca

Mianne Bagger - www.miannegolf.com

AthletesCAN - www.athletescan.com

Canadian Centre of Ethics in Sport - www.cces.ca

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport
and Physical Activity - www.caaws.ca

Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine - www.casm-acms.org