Questioning Gender: A slippery slope

When is questioning someone’s athletic ability go too far? I believe it went to far in the case of Caster Semenya after her gold metal performance in 2008. I say this because not only do they question whether or not she was using performance enhancing drugs but when they questioned her gender—that is taking it too far.

            I can understand how her more masculine appearance than the other women she competed against can make you take a second look but that is no reason to force a gender test. The fact that the results were never shared was a step in the right direction; however, by then the damage had already been done. The question I raise and address is: Where is the line drawn when it comes to questioning one’s athletic feats?

            For example, although no one questions Lebron James’ gender, his physic and ability are far more advance than any other athlete in the NBA make it seem as if he is almost genetically superior. If we can question a female’s gender because of her superiority on the track—can we question the genetics and DNA of male athletes? Can we question if Lebron James is a superhuman. And can we test is he is a form of an avatar?           

            My point is very simple. Caster Semenya is a woman and women stereotypically are not the dominant athlete most people think of them as; that isn’t an excuse for society to take away from their accomplishments and degrade the person and question their gender. We cannot afford to do so because it is a slippery slope. Soon we will be questioning everyone’s accomplishments and if they pass the drug tests we will find ways to alter their image of athletic superiority.

            Who knows maybe Lebron James will be placed in a league against robots if we allow society to continue down the wrong path.