LAUSANNE – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said today it will not set competition criteria for intersex and transgender people and has passed the subject on to individual sports’ governing federations.
The IOC has struggled to establish a uniform position after a two-year consultation with over 250 participants, which included the publication of a framework on the issue.
“The IOC seeks to promote a safe and welcoming environment for everyone involved in elite-level competition,” it said.
“It must be within the remit of each sport and its governing body to determine how an athlete may be at a disproportionate advantage compared with their peers.”
The IOC said most high-level competitions are staged with men’s and women’s categories.
IOC wanted these categories to be fair and safe, and that athletes would not be excluded solely based on their transgender identity or sex variations.
The framework was developed following an extensive consultation with athletes and stakeholders. – AFP, November 17, 2021
