The running debate over transgenderism has revealed the obvious conflict between two ideologies that the Olympics are attempting to unite.
The controversy around boxer Imane Khelif has been one of the many at this year’s Paris Olympics. Viewers were horrified to see Italian hopeful Angelina Carini pull out of the fight in just 46 seconds to 'save her life.'
JK Rowling tweeted: 'Explain why you're OK with a man beating a woman in public for your entertainment.' However it was intended, this comment from such a public figure turned a single boxing match into a global debate about transgender issues.
What has become clear since is that many were incorrect in their assumption. Imane Khelif is not a transgender person. However, she does have very high levels of testosterone due to being born with DSD (Differences in Sex Development). This is a hugely complex issue and space forbids a detailed discussion here. Elsewhere on this website, Rebecca Chapman explores this matter in more depth.
However, the debate over transgenderism that this contest mistakenly generated revealed the obvious conflict between ideologies that the Olympics are attempting to unite.
Elitism vs expressive individualism
It was clear from the opening ceremony that the Paris Olympics were fully embracing the self-defining culture of the West that proclaims, 'You can be anything you want to be' – while, paradoxically, celebrating the best of elitism.
The Olympics is a festival of sport exclusively for those who have won the genetic lottery and are fortunate enough to be born into a family and society that allows both the time and the resources to develop their natural skills to compete. Those who are willing to sacrifice all to reach the zenith of their sport, and are successful on the day, are rewarded with a medal.
'We cannot choose to be who we are no more than we can choose to be a Gold medalist at the Paris Olympics.'
The Olympics is a celebration of the beauty of human achievement and the meritocracy of life that speaks directly against the overtly charitable delusion that ‘You can be whatever you want to be.' Not everyone can win the Gold, however much they may desire to identify as a winner. The medals are performance-based and awarded on factual results.
Try as they might to promote the anti-Christian ideology of 'self-definition' the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will always be faced with the reality of life that you cannot define for yourself what you want to be. A truth that both the Bible and sport so wonderfully reveal to us.
The Bible tells us that every human being is defined by God who brought us all into this world with a variety of natural gifts for His will and purpose. When we embrace this beautiful truth, it is liberating as the burden to fulfil any self-imposed identity – transgender or otherwise – is removed. We cannot choose to be who we are no more than we can choose to be a Gold medallist at the Paris Olympics. But we can trust in God’s defining of us, so that we can work freely in His grace and His strength to fulfil His purpose for our lives.
'For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.' Romans 12:3
An earlier version of this article has been updated to clarify JK Rowling's Tweet on X and in relation to DSD.
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