Reports: IOC Moving Toward Ban on Transgender Athletes from Female Competition
According to multiple reports, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is moving toward implementing a ban on transgender athletes in the Olympic Games. The IOC responded to the reports, stating that a decision is not imminent. However, the organization did not deny that a new policy is on the horizon.
When Kirsty Coventry took over the presidency of the IOC earlier this year, the multi-time Olympic medalist in swimming noted that she wanted to “protect the female category” in Olympic competition. As part of that goal, Coventry formed a task force, called the “Protection of the Female Category Working Group.” Last week, the IOC’s Jane Thornton provided an update to IOC members on the initial findings of the group.
Under its current policy, decision on the participation of transgender athletes is left to individual sports federations, such as World Aquatics and World Athletics. When Coventry became President of the IOC, she mentioned the need to have overarching guidance on the topic of transgender athletes.
“We understand that there will be differences depending on the sport,” Coventry said in her initial press conference. “But it was very clear from the members that we have to protect the female category, first and foremost to ensure fairness. We have to do it with a scientific approach and with the inclusion of the international federations who have done a lot of work in that area.”
Among current policies, World Aquatics allows transgender women to compete in the female category if they transitioned before the age of 12. World Athletics, which oversees track and field, does not allow transgender women to compete in the female category if they have undergone male puberty.
“I don’t think we need to redo all the work that’s been done,” Coventry has said. “We can learn from the international federations and set up a task force that will look at this constantly and consistently. The overarching principle must be to protect the female category.”
