NOT DUE TO SPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 22445, 16 September 1936, Page 10

NOT DUE TO SPORTS

DOCTORS ON SEX CHANGE Participation in athletics cannot possibly cause or influence a change of sex among women athletes. Strenuous training does women no harm. Those opinions were given by two leading Macquarie street (Sydney) specialists, and by two women who take a great interest in women’s sports. Their views were sought of the cabled statement from Berlin that the International Olympic Committee was worried over the participation of women in Olympic Games, and was considering th« case of one competitor of doubtful sex. Both doctors said that young single women should take up sport. After a woman is married, said one, she should not treat sport so seriously. There was no reason why she should abandon sport because of marriage, but intensive training might interfere with the bearing of children. Both doctors were asked if training for athletics could have any influence in a change of sex. Their reply was: “Decidedly no!” Airs C. G. Ellis, secretary of the Botany Harriers’ Athletic Club, said: “ Sport seems to do young women a great, amount of good. The suggestion' about barring women from participation in Olympic Games because a change of sex has been discovered is ridiculous.” Airs Chambers, secretary of the Women’s Swimming Association and president of the Australian Women’s Amateur Athletic Association : “ I know dozens of married women who have raised large families and still take an active part in sport.”