The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is deliberating on establishing universal rules for transgender athletes at the Olympic Games. This comes as a growing number of sports organizations are tightening eligibility criteria, reflecting a shift in sentiment that the IOC appears increasingly willing to embrace. Under the leadership of newly appointed President Kirsty Coventry, the IOC reversed its previous stance in June, opting to take charge of setting eligibility criteria for transgender athletes, a responsibility previously delegated to individual sports federations. This had resulted in a confusing array of different approaches.
In a significant move, Coventry established the “Protection of the Female Category” working group in September, comprising experts and representatives from international federations, to explore the best ways to safeguard the female category in sports. An IOC spokesperson stated on Monday, “An update was given by the IOC’s Director of Health, Medicine and Science to the IOC members last week during the IOC commission meetings. The working group is continuing its discussions on this topic and no decisions have been taken yet. Further information will be provided in due course.”
Shifting Policies and Global Reactions
Prior to Coventry’s decision in June, the IOC had refrained from imposing any universal rule on transgender participation in the Games, instead instructing international federations in 2021 to develop their own guidelines. Under the current rules, transgender athletes remain eligible to participate in the Olympics. Notably, only a small number of openly transgender athletes have competed in the Games. New Zealand’s Laurel Hubbard made history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete in a gender category different from that assigned at birth during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Meanwhile, some international federations have established rules, while others have yet to finalize their policies. This landscape is further complicated by the actions of former US President Donald Trump, who enacted the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” order in February, banning transgender athletes from competing in school sports in the United States. Civil society groups have criticized this move, arguing it infringes on the rights of transgender individuals. Trump has also vowed to prevent transgender athletes from competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
Federations’ Responses and New Regulations
Following Trump’s decision, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee amended its rules to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. Various federations have initiated their own studies or revised regulations to exclude individuals who have undergone male puberty from competing in the female category at an elite level. World Rugby has banned transgender athletes from elite competition, while World Athletics restricts participation to those who have not experienced male puberty.
World Aquatics allows transgender athletes who transitioned before the age of 12 to compete, but not those who transitioned after that age. The situation in soccer remains unclear, with FIFA yet to announce an updated policy. However, some associations, such as the English FA, have independently banned transgender players from women’s competitions. Additionally, boxing and athletics have introduced mandatory tests for athletes in the female category to detect the SRY gene, which is located on the Y chromosome and triggers the development of male characteristics in mammals.
“The moves are aimed at athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD), who have been raised as female but sometimes carry some of the physical advantages of males.”
Implications and Future Directions
The ongoing discussions and policy shifts underscore the complex and contentious nature of the issue. The IOC’s decision to potentially implement universal rules could set a precedent for international sports, influencing how gender categories are defined and protected. As the debate continues, the implications for athletes, sports organizations, and broader societal norms remain significant.
Looking ahead, the IOC’s working group is expected to provide further updates, which could shape the future of transgender participation in sports. The outcome of these deliberations will likely have far-reaching consequences, not only for the Olympic Games but also for the global sports community as a whole.
