LAUSANNE — The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to establish clear, uniform criteria on gender eligibility for athletes, according to IOC member Timothy Coventry. This move comes amid growing calls for consistency in how transgender and intersex athletes are classified in international competitions.
Key Developments
The IOC plans to pilot a framework that provides transparent guidelines on gender eligibility, including:
- Medical criteria related to hormone levels
- A unified review process for applications
- Protection of athlete privacy through secure protocols
Coventry said the initiative aims to uphold fair competition while respecting athletes’ human rights. He acknowledged that past reliance on individual sporting federations led to inconsistent policies and confusion.
Why It Matters
- Clarity for athletes: Clear rules will help athletes understand their eligibility in advance.
- Global consistency: A universal policy would reduce disparities across sports, where rules currently differ widely.
- Balancing fairness and inclusion: The IOC seeks to ensure both competitive integrity and equal opportunity.
What’s Next
The IOC is expected to release draft criteria later this year. National committees and international federations will then be consulted. Final adoption may occur as early as the Paris 2028 Games cycle.
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