Ethical issues, physical activity and sport

1. Inequities and discrimination in the world of sport Let’s Watch!

Learning goals We are learning of the inequities and discrimination in sport and PA. We are learning what can be done to combat inequities and discrimination in sport and recreation.

Gender based inequities in sport Women’s gains in physical activity and sport have improved compared to 50 years ago, but gaps in gender equity in sport persist: Women cannot compete in high-profile men’s professional events when women-only options are available. Women often receive “second-class” treatment when booking facilities. Many women’s sports, such as beach volleyball, are perceived as forums for female attractiveness rather than forums for their sporting value.

Can women compete with men?

Gender based inequities in compensation Corporate sponsorships for female athletes are fewer than for male athletes. Although women’s professional sports leagues do exist in many countries, athletes in these leagues are paid much less than athletes in men’s leagues. The amount of prize money available to female athletes is often considerably less than that offered to male athletes.

Gender based inequities in media coverage There is minimal media coverage of sporting events relative to the number of women and girls who participate in them. Women’s sports need wider media coverage—especially television coverage. Without the corporate dollars bestowed on promoting crowd- drawing events, it will be difficult to increase prize money and funding for women’s events.

Gender inequities in officiating roles Today, many female coaches preside at events such as the soccer World Cup and the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. However, a woman coaching a men’s professional sports team is rare. Only one female coach—Carolina Morace—has coached a men’s professional team (an Italian men’s soccer team). It is rare to see a woman refereeing a men’s team sport; one exception is Violet Palmer, who in 1999 became the first woman to referee an NBA game.

Promoting gender equity in sport today A number of organizations are pushing for equal access to participation and leadership roles in physical activity and sport for women, for example: The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) Sport Canada The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport Human Rights Watch

The challenge of defining gender In 2009, South African runner Caster Semenya’s world championship 800-m victory sparked a controversy when her femininity was questioned. Semenya was forced to undergo a humiliating “gender test.” The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) was faced with a complex question: What defines a man and a woman?

Inadequacy of gender tests Medical professionals and policy makers often see gender tests as inaccurate. These tests fail to take into account people who are intersexed (have a male genetic makeup and female anatomy or body chemistry, or vice versa). The IAAF test measures only the amount of testosterone in an athlete’s body, which many scientists believe is an unfair way to determine gender.

Fallout from semenya controversy Some observers felt that Semenya intentionally did not push for gold at the London Olympics in an attempt to avoid more controversy. The British magazine New Statesman included Semenya in one of its annual lists of “50 People That Matter.” The international track and field community still faces the challenge of how to be fair and inclusive when some people don’t fit standardized definitions of what it means to be a man or a woman.

The last closet Many people have long referred to professional sport as “the last closet” in terms of gays and lesbians finding acceptance among their peers. In 2013, professional basketball player Jason Collins revealed in Sports Illustrated that he is gay—the first male participant in a major sport to do so. Collins urged the sporting community to be open-minded about accepting his sexual orientation and that of other gay athletes.

Support for gay rights for athletes Collins received the support of many leading public figures, including Michelle Obama. The Canadian Olympic Committee named gay silver medal- winning swimmer Mark Tewskbury as the 2012 chef de mission for the 2012 London Olympics. Canada’s Olympic athletes aligned themselves with those opposing the anti-gay law passed in 2013 in Russia prior to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

summary In the world of (especially male) sport, acceptance of a gender identity and a sexual orientation other than “traditional” heterosexuality is not widespread. Courageous athletes are asking for acceptance of their true identities. Many representatives of sport communities are urging more fairness and inclusiveness toward people who are gay or intersexed.

Learning goals We are learning of the inequities and discrimination in sport and PA. We are learning what can be done to combat inequities and discrimination in sport and recreation.

In your groups, complete: Why have many people referred to sport as the “last closet”? Given the humiliation experienced by South African runner Caster Semenya, do you think that major sport championships should declare themselves gender neutral? Justify your answer. Select one example of gender based inequity in sport and suggest possible strategies for addressing that inequity. You may wish to do some research to support your ideas.