Athletes’ Bodies, Sexed Bodies

Eric Vilain, M.D., Ph.D.

Director, UCLA Institute for Society and Genetics

What makes a man a man, and a woman a woman? Intersex conditions are at the heart of debates about the concepts of masculinity and femininity, medical approaches to anatomic variations, and the issues of shame and secrecy about the appearance of genitalia. These controversies have recently been heightened with questions around the sex of athletes and fairness in sports competitions.  Dr. Vilain was part of the group of experts convened by the International Olympic Committee to advise on issues of sex verification, and will address questions of biological parameters of sex, political and medical issues around intersexuality, and genetic advantages for sports.