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Reproductive endocrinology

Athletes' bodies, sexed bodies—intersexuality in athletics

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In April 2011, the International Olympic Committee determined that women with hyperandrogenism and androgen levels above the lower limit of the male range cannot compete against other women. This attempt to implement a 'level playing field' has received much criticism. But is it justified?

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Genetics and Center for Society & Genetics, UCLA School of Medicine, 695 Charles Young Drive South, Lab 5524, Los Angeles, 90095-7088, CA, USA

    Eric Vilain & Francisco J. Sánchez

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  1. Eric Vilain
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  2. Francisco J. Sánchez
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Correspondence to Eric Vilain.

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Competing interests

E. Vilain declares an association with the IOC Medical Commission (consultant). F. J. Sánchez declares no competing interests.

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Vilain, E., Sánchez, F. Athletes' bodies, sexed bodies—intersexuality in athletics. Nat Rev Endocrinol 8, 198–199 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2011.213

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