One major argument that is currently taking place is the issue of Transgender Athletes. A female transgender CrossFit athlete was told that she cannot compete as a woman. The CrossFit governing body told her that she can still compete, but it has to be in the division where he is not at an advantage or disadvantage. Because she has the body of a male, it would be unfair for her to compete in the female division. CrossFit's main goal is to accept the transgenders or anybody, as well as keeping the competition fair. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) came up with a resolution in 2004 that said the transgender athletes must have a legal certificate of their gender, have had gender reassignment surgery, and have at least two year of hormone therapy. However, in 2011, the NCA said that surgery is not required, and only one year of testosterone therapy is necessary for female transgender athletes.
Billie Jean King was born on November 22, 1943, in Long Beach California. When she was eleven years old she gained an interest in tennis, and decided to save up to by herself a racket. At the age of fourteen, King competed in the Wimbledon tournament in England for the first time, and she can out with a doubles title with Karen Hautze. In 1965 she married Larry King, an attourney, and in 1966 and 1967, she won the Wimbledon singles championship. This year was a very accomplished year for King, because she also won the U.S. Open singles title in New York. In 1971, King became the first woman athlete to win more than $100,000. In 1972, Billie Jean King was featured on Sports Illustrated Magazine as "Sportswoman of the Year" and Sports Magazine made her "Tennis Player of the Year". She then began to start commenting on how low the prize money was for female competitors. She also commented on how women her receiving much less than men for equal ability. Her statements led to an equal prize money at the U.S. Open for both men and women. In September of 1939, she competed against Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" in Houston, Texas and defeated him. Billie Jean King is very significant to today's athletes, for her headstrong attitude and confidence allowed for female athletes to continue to fight for equal pay to male athletes.
One major accomplishment for women in sports is the establishment of Title IX. Title IX is a law included in the Education Amendments of 1972, which states that all schools that receive federal funds must not discriminate based on sex, and that they must give women equal opportunities as men to compete in sports or programs. This was a kick start for more and more girls to start playing sports. Not only did it get girls off benches, it also encouraged more and more girls to start playing sports, because now that they had the opportunity to they immediately took advantage of that. This law is so significant because there is research that presents that women who are athletic and participate in sports are more likely to experience any kind of academic success. It also gives women confidence and higher self-esteem. This law allowed for women to play sports, and essentially improve their lives.
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