ABSTRACT
Queer theory epitomizes fluidity reminiscent of Foucault’s (1982) conceptual journey classifying power and supplies a framework to queer the most organizing aspect of sports: sex. Sport media has power and could help formulate attitudes or judgments about intersex athletes. Sub-Saharan African countries – South Africa historically and Namibia in recent years – are at the forefront of the debate on intersex athletes and distinctions between sex-trait differences in the body. At the recent summer Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021 due to COVID-19, World Athletics disqualified two Namibian track and field runners – Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi – due to naturally high testosterone levels and banned them from running in the 400-meter to 1,600-meter races. The story of Mboma and Masilingi became a worldwide intersex controversy discussed and debated throughout global media. Their story created a gateway for the media to deliberate about intersex athletes. This chapter uses oral history to consider how Namibian and African media present and discuss Mboma, Masilingi, Caster Semenya, and intersex athletes. It reflects how Namibian sport media could frame intersex athletes in ways that create a more inclusive media environment.
