Debate Intensifies on Transgender Women in Sports as Scientific Studies Present Varied Findings

A recent social media post by public intellectual Wesley Yang has reignited discussions on the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports, asserting that biological sex is the "decisive fact" in resolving the issue. Yang's tweet, shared on August 16, 2025, contends that "men shouldn't compete against women, and 'trans women' are men," dismissing counterarguments as "manipulation tactics" by activists. His statement underscores a deeply polarized debate that involves scientific, ethical, and policy considerations across the globe.

Yang's perspective emphasizes a biological determinism, arguing that referring to someone by their sex is merely "stating a fact and a relevant one." He critiques what he perceives as efforts to complicate the issue, accusing "trans activists" of bullying female athletes and sporting organizations. Yang, known for his essays and commentary on cultural and identity politics, has previously engaged extensively with gender issues, often challenging prevailing narratives around identity.

The scientific community offers varied insights into the athletic advantages of transgender women. Studies indicate that individuals assigned male at birth who undergo masculinizing puberty typically develop greater height, bone density, muscle mass, and aerobic capacity due to higher testosterone levels. While gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) in transgender women, which includes estrogen and testosterone blockers, significantly reduces these advantages over time, some research suggests that certain benefits, such as bone structure and initial muscle development, may persist.

A 2024 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that transgender women athletes, even after hormone therapy, retained higher absolute handgrip strength than cisgender women, though they showed lower relative jump height and relative maximal oxygen uptake. Conversely, a 2021 study in the Journal Sports Medicine suggested no scientific evidence to support bans on transgender women in sports, and a 2024 IOC-funded study indicated potential physical disadvantages for transgender women when competing with cisgender women in some metrics. The consensus among many experts is that more long-term, sport-specific research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Sports governing bodies worldwide are grappling with how to balance fairness, inclusion, and safety. Organizations like World Aquatics and World Athletics have implemented policies that effectively exclude most transgender women who have undergone male puberty from elite women's categories. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee's 2021 framework delegates decision-making to individual federations, emphasizing an evidence-based approach. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of defining fair competition in a way that respects the rights and experiences of all athletes.