In the introduction, the author explains how categories of race and gender are understood in the social sciences. She then presents the world records set in running competitions; these are a departure point for a discussion of perceptions of race and gender and gender and racial differences in sports. The examples, which pertain to playing rules, financial questions and the media discourse, reveal two divergent strategies in the world of sports in regard to gender and racial differences. The first consists in explaining and legitimising differences with the help of the category of biological discourse, the second - based on political correctness - in ignoring them.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.