IOC advice on Transgender Athlete Rules

November 17, 2021

International Olympic Committee (IOC) published advice on transgender athlete rules, recently.

Key Points

This move is aimed at helping sports write eligibility rules for transgender athletes.
IOC advices to shift the focus from individual testosterone levels.
It also calls for evidence to prove in case a performance advantage existed.
IOC maintains that, no athlete should be excluded from competing on the basis of an “unverified, alleged or perceived unfair competitive advantage because of their sex variations, transgender status or physical appearance.

Background

IOC took this decision after the Tokyo Olympics, in which first openly transgender athlete, weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, competed and defended 800-meter champion Caster Semenya.

Is IOC document legally binding?

The IOC document is not legally binding yet. It clearly states that, governing bodies should now be responsible for regulating their own sports.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

IOC is a non-governmental sports organisation. It is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was set up in the form of an association under Swiss Civil Code (articles 60–79). The association was founded in the year 1894, by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas. It is responsible for organising modern Olympic Games. IOC is the governing body of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) as well as the “Olympic Movement”.