TRANSGENDER ATHLETES should no longer be required to reduce their testosterone levels in order to compete in the women's sport category. This comes from new guidelines issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC),
The governing body made the revelation on a landmark day for the event, but the committee said that each person can decide what way they can go about those rules.
The guidelines come after a consultation process of two years with over 200 competitors and athletes from a range of sporting bodies. This is laid out in a 10 point document.
The IOC say in their guidelines that there should be no presumption that trans women have an advantage over women born as women at birth. The IOC's previous position from 2015 was the opposite of this.
NEW - new IOC trans guidelines
1) Remove need for trans women to lower T
2) "No presumption that athletes should have an advantage due to their transgender status"
But 3) sports can restrict athletes if peer-reviewed science shows "disproportionate advantage” exists & for safety— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) November 16, 2021
Previously under IOC policy, any athlete who registered for the events at Trans was only allowed to compete if their testosterone levels came in under a certain limit for at least 12 months prior to their first competition.
The IOC have also stated that sex testing, which used "invasive physical examinations" to verify an athlete's gender were "disrespectful" and "potentially harmful" to people.
These guidelines start after the Winter Olympics which get underway in just over two months in Beijing, China.
Some governing bodies have set out their position. The Guardian, states that the World Athletics will not be altering their rules which require athletes to lower their testosterone in order to compete in some short distance races.
"The framework is not legally binding. What we are offering to all the international federations is our expertise and a dialogue, rather than jumping to a conclusion," said IOC director of the athletes' department Kaveh Mehrabi.
With regards to testosterone, the IOC's medical director Richard Budgett said that testosterone does not need to be considered in deciding who can compete.
"But this guidance is not an absolute rule. So we can’t say that the framework in any particular sport, such as World Athletics is actually wrong. They need to make it right for their sport and this framework gives them a process by which they can do it, thinking about inclusion and then seeing what produces disproportionate advantage," added Budgett.
Laurel Hubbard became the first transgender athlete at The Tokyo 2020, when she represented New Zealand in weightlifting at the Tokyo Games.
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: Laurel Hubbard of New Zealand competes in the Women's +90kg FinalPhoto by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)