Olympic Games and the tricky science of telling men from women (Los Angeles Times)


Randall Munroe, of xkcd fame, once noted that "The role of gender in society is the most complicated thing I've ever spent a lot of time learning about, and I've spent a lot of time learning about quantum mechanics." The LA Times reports on the role of gender in the Olympics: Olympic Games and the tricky science of telling men from women (Los Angeles Times Articles)

Once it's agreed that men and women should compete separately, how should officials divide them up?

It's not a rhetorical question. Though most people fall neatly into "male" and "female" categories, some do not. The fact that there are people with physical or genetic traits of both sexes prompted the IOC to rethink its gender test.

In the event of ambiguous genitalia, the gender test should be done by mammary gland. If that should prove inconclusive, then they shall compete in the more difficult mens categories. Never let a neuter take the easy way out. Never.

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