"setting new standards for gender equity in sports." Nonsense. They'll be gender equity in sports when women compete against the men in the same event. Anything else is artificial.

dentesterAug. 5, 12 6:58 AM "setting new standards for gender equity in sports." Nonsense. They'll be gender equity in sports when women compete against the men in the same event. Anything else is artificial._________dentester is correct. I agree that there are physical and athletic ability differences between men and women, but there are many events where the two can compete on a level field. I will point out shooting sports for one. Why don't they make this a single event rather than men and women? Equestrian is another.

Nice to see the StarTribune is all over the burning issues of our time. I was REALLY worried about this. At least, I think I was. I can't remember every thinking about it, but that's probably just proof of what a terrible memory I have.

Leave it to the STRIB to fabricate this issue. Typical progressive and nanny-state positions: everyone equal in everything.

Ms. Taibi, falls prey to the major failure of the woman's movement by saying they can do whatever they want. First and despite those who profess gender equality, please recognize that men and women are different mentally and physically. Second, regardless of gender competing, especially at Olympic levels requires sacrifice and risks. I'll limit an example to woman's basketball. Approximately 80% of all ACL injuries occur in women. The reason is focuses on the "reality" that the hip bone structure in women is designed to accomodate the birthing process and differs than that of men and the movements in basketball stresses/flexes in women such that to accommodate the pressure point weaknesses, the body falters at the next lower pivot point, the knee. This is not to discourage women from participating, it should just remind them of the sacrifices and risks.

Forget the politics. The US women have been spectacular. Pay attention to what matters.