By: Bridget Mensah
The world of sports is rife with double standards, and the treatment of certain athletes is a stark reminder of this. Michael Phelps, a white American swimmer from Baltimore, Maryland, has been allowed to dominate his sport for years, despite his genetic advantages. Meanwhile, Caster Semenya, a black South African middle-distance runner, Serena Williams, a black American tennis player from Compton, California, and Imane Khelif, a black Algerian boxer, have faced scrutiny and exclusion due to their own genetic makeup.
The latest controversy surrounding Imane Khelif highlights the glaring disparities in how athletes are treated. Khelif was accused of being a man and having an unfair advantage due to her XY chromosomes. The Italian boxer, Angela Carini, a white European athlete, who faced Khelif in the Olympics, cried foul and abandoned the match after just 46 seconds. This incident underscores the challenges black people face when a white woman cries. Historically, white women’s tears have been used to justify discrimination and oppression. In this case, Carini’s tears were used to question Khelif’s legitimacy as a female athlete.
As a feminist who follows sports to a certain degree, it’s disheartening to see Imane Khelif reduced to tears after her win. She shouldn’t have to prove to the world that she’s a woman, but the scrutiny and doubt surrounding her gender identity make it necessary. It’s a painful reminder of the struggles black women face in sports, where their bodies are constantly policed and questioned.
The fact that Khelif has to justify her womanhood is a clear indication of the sexism and racism that pervades sports. It’s a stark contrast to the treatment of Michael Phelps, who has never faced such scrutiny despite his genetic advantages.
The Olympics, touted as a symbol of unity and fair play, have consistently failed black athletes. From Caster Semenya’s struggles to Serena Williams’ battles with racism and sexism, it’s clear that the playing field is far from level.
Let’s celebrate the diversity of human physiology and recognize that genetics are not a choice. These athletes deserve to compete without discrimination and scrutiny.
When these eligibility standards were being created, do you think they considered black women’s testosterone levels? These tests made white women the standard of measurement, and anyone outside that standard is out. Institutionalized racism is what this is.
We need to acknowledge that these standards are rooted in institutionalized racism and have been used to exclude and marginalize black athletes.