I need to have a look at how they address the male physical elements and the impact of whatever treatment (meds etc) the transition person is taking. I get that changing hormone levels (or hormones at typical male levels) will lead to some loss of muscle mass and the like. But can that ever outweigh the other physical attributes that seemingly get carried over? That's the bit I'm dubious about.
Especially when we are talking about weightlifting and contact sports where there is already a selection process happening around physical talents. Although I reckon there is broader range in weightlifting than pro-AFL or other contact sports. If you transition as a 6 foot something 110kg+ pro or semi-pro athlete surely you have an advantage over the majority of elite females you are competing against? Even if you can create a level playing field on the physical side of things, there is still all that experience of playing against men and (on the whole) a higher degree of impact/pace etc.
My position on PED within male/female sports is that taking it gives you an advantage you never truly lose. Sure it drops off if you stop the drugs, but you've already benefited from the size/strength/speed it's given you. So instead of having a 2-3% advantage it's only a 1% advantage (note - all numbers pulled from my ass). But the point is you can't untake those drugs, much in the same way that you can't un-male yourself to compete in female comps.
I suspect medicine and all sorts of treatments will emerge in this space, but for the moment it's that awkwardness between fairness of competition and whatever level of support or validity you ascribe a gender transition.
R
