Jon Pike

Jon Pike is a senior lecturer in philosophy at the Open University and an expert in the philosophy of sport. He publishes frequently on sport ethics and has been a consultant to the World Anti-Doping Agency, UK Anti-Doping, World Rugby and the International Olympic Committee.

“Sex matters in sport, because of the sex-based physiological differences that mean women would lose, almost all the time, in almost all unisex competitive sport. In order to have fair competition, it’s essential to maintain a separate category for those who lack the advantages of androgenisation – women and girls. I’m in favour of fairness in sport, and so in maintaining the integrity of women’s sport. As in sport, so in many other social contexts: often (but, of course, not always) sexed bodies matter. When they do, this must be recognised in our laws, rules, and social arrangements.”