The athlete who changed the rules on sex tests
How a Spanish woman hurdler won the right to compete despite having male chromosomes
In the 1980s, the Spanish hurdler Maria-Jose Pati帽o was forced to quit athletics after a sex test revealed she had male chromosomes due to a rare genetic condition called Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. Often facing hostile press coverage, Pati帽o fought a two-year battle to change the international rules 鈥� successfully proving that her chromosome pattern did not improve her athletic performance and that her body was the same as any other woman鈥檚. Pati帽o was allowed to compete again in female athletics and her case is now seen as a milestone in the continuing controversy over genetic variation in sport. Maria-Jose Pati帽o talks to Jo Casserly.
PHOTO: Maria-Jose Pati帽o in the 1980s (Personal Collection)
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