Hear from cyclist Kristen Worley on gender vs. sex, testosterone, old ideologies and human rights
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Hormone testing is the protocol for evaluating high testosterone levels in women with differences of sex development (DSD)(Image credit: Getty Images)
Kristen Worley and Mianne Bagger address guests during a Speak Out event addressing diversity and inclusion in sport(Image credit: Getty Images)
Blood samples in doping control
A placard placed on a statue by the human-rights advocacy group dedicated to intersexed (DSD women) persons is seen during a protest at International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters on November 19, 2009 in Lausanne(Image credit: Getty Images)
In this episode Kirsten Frattini, women’s editor at Cyclingnews, speaks with former cyclist and human rights activist Kristen Worley, who just released her memoir, "Woman Enough - How a boy became a woman and changed the world of sport."
We take an in-depth look at the guidelines set in place by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for transitioned females and the new regulations set by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for females with differences of sex development (DSD), that will be implemented on May 8 after a lengthy appeal at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) in the Caster Semenya vs IAAF appeal.
We highlight the problems and controversies surrounding the rules, and the need for more scientific research and medical expertise when creating policy for these individuals. We also take a look back at the evolution of gender verification testing from the so-called 'nude parades' to 'sex-testing' and the current forms of testosterone testing used today.
Part of our discussion circles around how old ideologies have impacted women in sports, including cycling. And we discuss how policies have affected athletes’ human rights.
Worley fully transitioned, having undergone sex-reassignment surgery, in her late 20s. She was forced to undergo gender verification processes to obtain a licence to compete in cycling as a woman.
She went on to challenge the IOC along with the World Anti-doping Agency, UCI, Cycling Canada and the Ontario Cycling Association, outside of the CAS, in the court of civil law at the Superior Court of Justice and then the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal in Toronto.
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Her case brought attention to the lack of scientific research behind the policies, practices and protocols in place for transgendered and cisgender women with higher testosterone levels. She also demonstrated how the IOC's guidelines filter down through the international federations, such as the UCI, and into the national and provincial rules at the lower levels of sport.
Worley currently gives educational discussions around the world on the subject of diversity and inclusion in sport. She also acts as a consultant on human rights to The Cyclists’ Alliance founded by Iris Slappendel.
To learn more about the debate surrounding the "IOC Consensus Meeting on Transgender Sex Reassignment and Hyperandrogenism" guidelines for such individuals competing in sport, testosterone uptake, and controversial gender verification practices read our in-depth feature Policing Gender Boundaries.
Update: The UCI introduce stricter requirements for transgender female athletes to compete in the women's category, with the testosterone threshold reduced to 5nmol/l in updated 2020 guidelines.
We hope you enjoy our discussion with Kristen Worley.
Kirsten Frattini is the Women’s Editor at Cyclingnews and holds a volunteer seat as the Chairperson of the High Performance Committee at Cycling Canada for a two-year term ending in 2020.
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Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.
