olympic rings
photo credit // unsplash dave kim
No more hormone therapy requirements to compete
International Olympic Committee (IOC) has dropped requirements for transgender athletes that advocates and now the governing body say are "medically unnecessary." These include mandating hormone treatments in order to compete.
The document was issued ahead of upcoming games in Beijing in 2022, Paris in 2024, Milan and Cortina in 2026, and Los Angeles in 2028.
"Every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination and in a way that respects their health, safety, and dignity," the IOC opened the document.
"Through this Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations, the [IOC] seeks to promote a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, consistent with the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter."
The document cites transgender rights is human rights.
It also says that it came to this conclusion after "extensive consultation with athletes and stakeholders concerned." Those stakeholders are Olympians, amateur athletes, international sports organizations, and especially legal and medical experts.
The documents lays out basic principles: competition must be inclusive of transgender athletes; they must prevent unnecessary harm; they must not discriminate; competition must be fair.
They also cite that there should be "no presumption of advantage" due to their gender identity; that all approaches should be evidence-based and scientific; that no one has to face forced treatments to compete.
Lastly, the IOC promises to respect the privacy of transgender athletes they are considering when making decisions of eligibility.
The document was issued ahead of upcoming games in Beijing in 2022, Paris in 2024, Milan and Cortina in 2026, and Los Angeles in 2028.
"Every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination and in a way that respects their health, safety, and dignity," the IOC opened the document.
"Through this Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations, the [IOC] seeks to promote a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, consistent with the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter."
The document cites transgender rights is human rights.
It also says that it came to this conclusion after "extensive consultation with athletes and stakeholders concerned." Those stakeholders are Olympians, amateur athletes, international sports organizations, and especially legal and medical experts.
The documents lays out basic principles: competition must be inclusive of transgender athletes; they must prevent unnecessary harm; they must not discriminate; competition must be fair.
They also cite that there should be "no presumption of advantage" due to their gender identity; that all approaches should be evidence-based and scientific; that no one has to face forced treatments to compete.
Lastly, the IOC promises to respect the privacy of transgender athletes they are considering when making decisions of eligibility.
