The NCAA is facing scrutiny once again for its treatment of men’s and women’s teams during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Stanford’s head coach, Jessica Harmon, expressing her outrage over the unequal testing protocols. In a statement released Saturday, Harmon called out the “clear evidence of systemic sexism” after it was revealed that the men’s teams were receiving daily PCR tests—deemed the “gold standard” for detecting COVID-19—while the women’s teams were only provided with less reliable daily antigen tests.
The FDA states that although antigen tests offer faster results, they have a higher chance of missing active infections compared to PCR tests, which can identify the virus even in asymptomatic individuals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the accuracy of antigen testing is contingent on the timing of the test, often being most reliable when viral loads are at their peak.
Several false positives have already emerged from the women’s tournament, requiring immediate retesting with PCR tests, raising further concerns about safety and fairness. “What we are witnessing is a stark contrast in decision-making that favors the men,” Harmon remarked. “Our players have been resilient, focusing on their game rather than the disparities in treatment, but it’s disheartening to see gender bias impacting health protocols.”
Despite the NCAA’s assertion that both testing methods were equally effective, this situation follows a prior incident where a viral video highlighted the stark differences in training facilities, with the women’s gym offering little more than a single stack of dumbbells compared to the men’s comprehensive setup.
Harmon emphasized the urgent need for equality in all aspects of sports, stating, “Women athletes and coaches are no longer willing to wait for improvements; we demand equity across the board.” UConn player Lila Johnson echoed her sentiments, describing the situation as “mind-blowing.”
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In summary, the stark contrast in COVID-19 testing protocols between men’s and women’s NCAA teams has sparked significant backlash, highlighting ongoing issues of gender inequality in sports. Stanford’s coach Jessica Harmon has been vocal about the need for equal treatment, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing women’s health and equity in all aspects of athletics.