Olympian and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Phyllis Ellis exposes harmful practice of “sex testing” in international sport
Premiered today – March 8, 2023 at 9:00 p.m. ET – in recognition of International Women’s Day
TORONTO, ON, March 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Find out more about elite runners affected by orders from international sports federations requiring certain female athletes to undergo medical modifications to compete. The premiere will air today – Tuesday, March 8 at 9:00pm ET – in celebration of International Women’s Day, viewers can watch TVO original Category: women on TVO, TVO Today, YouTube and Smart TV services. Watch trailer now.
Award-winning filmmaker and Canadian Olympian Phyllis Ellis (Toxic Beauty) delivers a damning investigation into “sex testing,” a deceptive and harmful practice that began with a decision by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (now World Athletics) that states target women with naturally high androgen levels must make medical changes in order to to be able to participate in competitions. Sports governing institutions that impose these rules are often male-dominated, and the practice adversely affects thousands of female athletes, particularly black women.
Category: woman introduces four top runners from the Global South who are speaking out against racism, the surveillance of women’s bodies in sport and the violation of their human rights.
“The debate on this issue has raged on with little to no consideration of its impact on the world-class athletes caught at the center of the storm,” he says John Ferri, vice president of programming and content at TVO. “Category: woman makes it painfully clear that there is much more at stake here than simply striving to uphold standards of fair play. This documentary is equal parts enlightening and annoying.”
“What is fair play if it’s not inclusion, harm prevention, non-discrimination, human rights and physical autonomy?” says Filmmaker Phyllis Ellis. “We must take action and demand that the sporting world at all levels end sexual, physical and psychological abuse and sex testing and denounce all forms of misogyny, racism and discrimination.”
As a South African runner Caster Semenya Bursting onto the world stage in 2009, their impressive success was quickly clouded by doubts. Her personal medical records were leaked to the international media, prompting an intense public scrutiny of her body, much of which was fueled by racism and sexism. Ms. Semenya was only 18 years old at the time.
Category: woman also profiles the Ugandan champion Anne Negesa– who became the first female athlete in the world to speak publicly about an invasive, career-ending surgery promoted by international sports officials. The documentary features footage that underscores the racism and misogyny that many elite female athletes have suffered as a result of these regulations. While being forced out of the competition, the athletes enter Category: woman show how her passion for sport was encouraged by her belief in standing up for human rights.
Regard TVO original Category: woman Today on TVO at 9pm ET (repeat Sunday, March 12 at 10pm ET) and anytime thereafter on TVO Today, YouTube, smart TV services, and the TVO Today mobile app for iOS and Android.
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