The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended its guard that it ultimately depends on each international sports body to set their own rules for transgender athletes’ inclusion, in spite of criticism from Martina Navratilova.
Navratilova, a gay rights pioneer, had hammered the IOC recently for what she said was an absence of administration on the issue of the consideration of transgender competitors in sport.
The issue was brought into focus by last weekend’s decision by swimming’s governing body FINA to boycott competitors who have been through any part of male puberty from elite women’s competition.
“This is a very divisive, a very difficult situation, a very difficult topic where we have to try to balance fairness with inclusivity,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told a virtual news conference on Friday.
“But what we are clear about is that each sport should and does know best how to look at not only sport but also at its disciplines, where there is a reasonable advantage.”
The IOC last year reexamined its rules on consideration with another system prompting competitors ought not be prohibited on the grounds of “perceived” unjustifiable benefit, yet leaving it to sports alliances to choose the principles.
“But we cannot come forward with one rule. One short rule that fits all. It has to be by sport and even by discipline,” he said. “So we accept there will be criticism, that’s inevitable I’m afraid. But we will do our best to balance fairness and inclusivity.”
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