17-8-2023 (BEIJING) The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has removed two prominent Chinese female track and field athletes from its world rankings, sparking renewed discussions about their gender due to previous allegations suggesting they might actually be male.
Liao Mengxue and Tong Zenghuan first gained international attention during the 2019 National Athletics Championships in China, where they represented the Hunan Province team and secured victory in the 4×400-meter relay. However, their athletic prowess took a backseat to the focus on their appearance. Claims arose that they didn’t appear feminine enough, leading to accusations that they were male athletes impersonating women, thereby gaining an unfair advantage in women’s track and field competitions.
Some individuals pointed to their prominent Adam’s apples or claimed they displayed too many “male characteristics” in their groin region. Some online commentators even hinted that the athletes might have abused performance-enhancing substances, such as steroids, to elevate their testosterone levels.
At the time, the Chinese Athletics Association confirmed the athletes’ female identities, yet the controversy didn’t immediately subside. Ultimately, the dispute faded away.
However, the recent removal of Liao Mengxue and Tong Zenghuan from the IAAF world rankings has reignited the debate. Many believe that their exclusion is evidence of their male status. Nonetheless, there are also reports suggesting that the gender controversy surrounding Liao and Tong might be a conspiracy theory.
Reports indicate that Tong has kept a low profile since her 2019 success, possibly even retiring from athletics, which could explain her absence from the IAAF rankings.
As for Liao Mengxue, it’s reported that she is now married and a mother. However, she does appear in the rankings, although significantly lower than before, currently standing at 527th place.
Within this ongoing controversy, a video resurfaced featuring Liao Mengxue speaking with a deep, masculine voice, fueling rumors about her potentially being male. Nonetheless, the official stance of the Chinese Athletics Association remains that both Liao and Tong are female athletes. As the debate unfolds, questions of gender, fairness, and athletic integrity continue to dominate the discourse within the sports community.
