DSD and transgender rules
As it stands, there is currently no clear, unified approach or framework between the IOC and its International Federations (IFs) regarding the participation of athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) and transgender athletes from the local through to the national and global stage.
IFs have been able to decide their own participation rules – based on fairness, inclusion and scientific evidence – following a revised framework put in place by the IOC in November 2021.
Some IFs, like World Athletics, have subsequently adopted tighter regulations with stricter thresholds or additional requirements for DSD athletes, while others, like World Rugby, have taken a stronger position in banning transgender athletes from competing in elite women’s competitions, citing competitive advantage and safety concerns, among others.
The lack of universal rules has been criticized for creating confusion among athletes and stakeholders.
This was especially evident during last summer’s Paris Games when boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting became the targets of misinformation about their gender, triggering an onslaught of online, metamask transphobic abuse toward athletes
“It’s a phenomenon of our world. What does social media do in such cases?” Bach recently told CNN.
“You had all sorts of people from all walks of life who were jumping on this without having any idea. We need to dig a little bit deeper how in this world you can really expose the facts and then discuss these facts – and then how to interpret these facts.”
Changes made by the 10th president of the organization could include the implementation of standardized rules for all sports based on firm scientific evidence, with universal eligibility criteria that will help to simplify policies and subsequently help reduce current confusion.
New frontiers
The new president’s eight-year mandate will run all the way through to 2033.
All Games in that window have already been picked – even the 2034 Winter Olympics, which will be staged in Salt Lake City.
With the next decade secured, attention will turn to the selection of the host for the Summer Games in 2036.
It will be the first time a decision has been taken since human rights commitments have been added to the Olympic Charter.
Furthermore, the IOC has also modified its selection criteria changing the host from a single city to multiple cities, regions, or countries.