Mr. Jacques Rogge
CEO
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Chateau de Vidy
1007 Lausanne
Switzerland
January 4th, 2009
Re: Releasing Ms. Santhi Soundarajan as the “martyr” of the IOC’s failed sex and gender policy in International sport
Dear Mr. Rogge,
I wish I was writing you and the International Olympic Committee executive board under better circumstances as we start 2009. In recent days, because of the released article published January 2nd, 2009 by The Times of India, titled “Shanti Soundarajan weaving Olympian dreams all over again”.
Go to URL -
Times of India Article – January 2, 2009
Which was followed by an article from Reuters in the UK “tabloid version” published the same day titled “Briefs – Indian athlete takes up coaching after sex test failure.”
Go to URL –
Reuters UK Article
Upon comparison, one can see that these two articles are significantly different. Reuters used this opportunity as many media outlets around the world have done, and as you and I both saw during the Beijing games, to use Santhi as the face and “martyr” of media worldwide as it relates directly to sex and gender policies in global sport. It still continues today.
What is ironic is this was never Santhi’s problem, but one as you and I have discussed before. It is the result of the failed history of the IOC. This has gone on for decades. Reading both these articles, as an example, Santhi never failed a sex test, as she never had one. If she had, as noted with experts from around the world online with both IOC Medical Commission directors Ljungqvist/Schamasch, of which you were made privy to through emails with leaders here in Canadian government, sport and doping, that the sex testing as a test does not exist. The current method measures nothing, as you should be aware of as I sit on international boards representing intersex person(s) in Canada with the “world experts” and that normal human development is vast and there are numerous variations, and it is the IOC that is problematic, by insisting on enforcing the standards of an unnatural human sex and gender binary in global sport.
As we learned with Schamasch, in conversations with Canadian Sports leaders or by email correspondence with him, when confronted with actual scientific facts, he would become arrogant and rude when we found out how little he actually knew. In fact, nothing. Then responding to me and many of his colleagues, “I don’t care…”.
We see where the breakdown exists. It’s at the highest level of international sport, and those assumed making the rules.
The reality is the evil in all of this which is part of the business and commerce surrounding international sport. I have learned a great deal over the last several years dealing with these high level issues, and about just how flawed the response to all this has been from the IOC. The IOC is betraying International sport and society as a whole, and persecuting individual women. In fact, in lieu of protecting the women, the IOC is more interested in furthering their own business.
There are several questions to be asked here concerning the IOC’s future and guidance in sport. Today the focus of concern is that of India’s 800m runner Santhi Soundarajan and releasing her from being the martyr of the IOC’s failures. At the time, Ljungqvist in December 2006, then vice-president of the IAAF told the press he would take on this case personally. He did nothing. In fact, it was my colleague and professional golfer Mianne Bagger and I who brought this to the attention of the world press to save Santhi from greater harm and exploitation. September 2007, Santhi tried to take her life due to the stress and ignorance provoked by International sport and failed IOC policy on understanding Intersex bodies.
There was no excuse for you, Ljungqvist and Schamasch were made very clear of these issues and how deep and systemic the problem is. I actually mentioned to Schamasch when on a conference call with Canadian Sport leaders, someone would be hurt or even killed (3) months prior to Santhi’s incident at the Asian Games December 2006. This incident forced Canada into action – by then Canadian Sports Secretary General Tom Scrimger.
I am asking you to do something about it now as CEO of the International Olympic Committee, and that NOT pass this off to Ljungqvist or Schamasch suggesting “this is a medical issue”. It is much greater than that. It is a social issue first and foremost and that changes through leadership and that is your job.
I ask three things of you today –
- The IOC to write a Press Release regarding sex testing in sport, and the IOC failure to make it clear in sport as well as media that Santhi Soundarajan never failed a sex test. There is no science to support sex testing in sport.
- The IOC apologizes officially to Santhi Soundarajan and create an honourary award in her name in the protection of women in global sport who exude outstanding courage out of diversity and betterment of sport physically and socially, improving the conditions for women around the globe.
- The removal of Dr. Arne Ljungqvist and Dr. Patrick Schamasch from the IOC Medical Commission, assuring the highest level of medical and ethical standards are met in global sport, and not flawed or influenced by either personal or business concerns. Most importantly, assure the safety and protection of all women around the world wanting to participate in sport at any level.
Mr. Rogge, as I suggested earlier in this correspondence, I wish I was writing you and your colleagues under better circumstances. These recent articles illustrate clearly the issues at hand. As your well aware too, Canada is the upcoming host of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver British Columbia just over a year from now.
The government of Canada is very aware of these issues, as are our sport leaders and are doing something about it. I want to be clear. This type of practice and behavior do not sit well in Canada, nor do they fit our country’s ideology. Athletes in this country are protected and are supported as anyone else as equals. Supported by the Canadian government, we are developing research that actually contradicts IOC policy using real science, of which Schamasch admitted to Canadian sport leaders he never attained upon international release of the Stockholm Consensus in Spring 2004, pre Athens.
This is an effort to stop the ignorance and literally the raping of women in global sport, which is what the IOC is doing. Yet again, Santhi is a victim of your policies, as there is a long list of victims and I have come to know many of them around the globe speaking out because of my efforts to bring this to the attention of the world, now feeling empowered, no longer silenced by the assumed powers of the IOC.
In closing, I ask you to once and for all set the record straight with regards to sex testing in the global sports system, that the IOC has no science or mechanisms to support your use of sex testing in the system. That in fact you are raping athletes. The world experts suggest this as well. So in fact what you’re doing is illegal because you don’t have the science to support it and you are violating human rights and endangering the lives of many people because of their cultural taboos and discrimination concerning sex variations.
The IOC is responsible for international standards and ethics in global sport. World governments pay the IOC and WADA under agreements, paying millions of dollars each year in trust you are doing this at the highest standards, integrity and ethics. Schamasch suggesting as an example when saying to us in a huff, “I don’t care”, is unethical. Like you, he is being entrusted and paid to do this.
A young girl’s life has paid a dear price for this. If this does not change, this will lead in the near future to an athlete’s death, and the IOC will be directly responsible.
I would suggest to you as well as references –
Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine – Position Statement 1999
Sex Testing (Gender Verification) in Sport – (Currently being updated 2009)
CASM Position Statement – .pdf
Kristen Worley’s Website – www.kristenworley.ca
Article reviews last (2) years
Categories – Santhi Soundarajan – IOC Medical Commission
I would also take a look at the “Speaking Engagements” section of my website. I am getting more and more international recognition to speak at congresses reaching out to women and men worldwide. The issues are clear and concise and will only increase the exposure of what is really going on “behind the curtain” of the IOC. People want to engage and make a difference in “sport for all”, and society as a whole. The IOC is out of touch and is putting people’s lives and those most at risk at an enormous disadvantage, and victimizing and putting them in life threatening and humiliating situations.
Mr. Rogge, this is solely your responsibility. Your colleagues Ljungqvist and Schamasch have proven time and time again they are incapable.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near the very near future.
With professional regards,
/Kristen Worley
Canadian Elite Athlete
Published – January 2009
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