Tommy Lundberg gives calm, reasoned answers to the startling news that 50 to 60 males have been finalists in women's elite track and field competitions
Thank goodness that World Athletics has finally completed their necessary reforms to include genetic testing. As a two time Olympian I was tested each time and proved my XX status as a biological female. There were a couple of times when an athlete was withdrawn from competition, possibly when the DSD condition was discovered. There are certainly many other sports where the male advantage is clear, such as swimming (the Lia Thomas scandal) but also power sports and endurance and power sports like cycling. So I hope the reforms will reach all sports as well as the recalcitrant and tone deaf IOC.
"In total between 2000 and 2023, Bermon said there had been 135 DSD finalists in elite international events, given some of the 50 to 60 athletes competed in more than one final. He also showed a slide that said that DSD cases are 151.9 times more likely than would be expected given the number of DSD individuals in the general population."
As a girl dad this is horrifying. Worst case nightmare. It's difficult enough navigating the world of female athletics (my daughter is a near elite high school runner) without the abomination of males trying (and succeeding) to infiltrate women's sports. Women deserve privacy, single gender competition and RESPECT.
My curiosity about this revelation, and I have to admit, assumptions, were slaked by Lundberg's answers. What are your questions? About reaction to this olicy? About sports that are not instituting genetic testing?
I just read it again and I see your point. He dropped so many facts that were new to me (eg, some DSDs appear in clusters) that I think I just wanted more of those. Also, I hadn’t even heard about the new testing policy, so my bad for failing to keep up.
You're never wrong for wanting more info. Tbh, I tried to contact officials from the NWSL because soccer is a sport like track that is contested globally, and in which three of the top paid players, from areas where DSDs are more common, were removed from their African teams for "high testosterone." The NWSL does not do genetic testing and allows males to play if their T is "within female levels" though I also read where they consider 10nmol/liter within the female range and it is 10 times the female level, in the normal male range. Anyway, I got no response from them and it seems they are utterly unconcerned with ensuring players are indeed female
They show up in countries where cousin marriages are common, mostly in the Middle East, N. Africa, some parts of Asia. Search "consanguinous marriages dsd"
Thank goodness that World Athletics has finally completed their necessary reforms to include genetic testing. As a two time Olympian I was tested each time and proved my XX status as a biological female. There were a couple of times when an athlete was withdrawn from competition, possibly when the DSD condition was discovered. There are certainly many other sports where the male advantage is clear, such as swimming (the Lia Thomas scandal) but also power sports and endurance and power sports like cycling. So I hope the reforms will reach all sports as well as the recalcitrant and tone deaf IOC.
"In total between 2000 and 2023, Bermon said there had been 135 DSD finalists in elite international events, given some of the 50 to 60 athletes competed in more than one final. He also showed a slide that said that DSD cases are 151.9 times more likely than would be expected given the number of DSD individuals in the general population."
Excerpted from article by Sean Ingle:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/19/sex-tests-brought-in-after-data-showed-50-60-dsd-athletes-in-finals-world-athletics-says
As a girl dad this is horrifying. Worst case nightmare. It's difficult enough navigating the world of female athletics (my daughter is a near elite high school runner) without the abomination of males trying (and succeeding) to infiltrate women's sports. Women deserve privacy, single gender competition and RESPECT.
Okay, but I want to know more! Will there be a part 2?
My curiosity about this revelation, and I have to admit, assumptions, were slaked by Lundberg's answers. What are your questions? About reaction to this olicy? About sports that are not instituting genetic testing?
I just read it again and I see your point. He dropped so many facts that were new to me (eg, some DSDs appear in clusters) that I think I just wanted more of those. Also, I hadn’t even heard about the new testing policy, so my bad for failing to keep up.
You're never wrong for wanting more info. Tbh, I tried to contact officials from the NWSL because soccer is a sport like track that is contested globally, and in which three of the top paid players, from areas where DSDs are more common, were removed from their African teams for "high testosterone." The NWSL does not do genetic testing and allows males to play if their T is "within female levels" though I also read where they consider 10nmol/liter within the female range and it is 10 times the female level, in the normal male range. Anyway, I got no response from them and it seems they are utterly unconcerned with ensuring players are indeed female
They show up in countries where cousin marriages are common, mostly in the Middle East, N. Africa, some parts of Asia. Search "consanguinous marriages dsd"
Thanks! The more you know…😅
Very helpful interview. Thanks for the reporting, Sarah.