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UN Expert Backs IOC's Transgender Athlete Ban in Female Olympic Events

The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, has welcomed the International Olympic Committee's new policy restricting female category events to biological females. The policy, approved by the IOC Executive Board, will take effect from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and applies to all individual and team sports. Alsalem stated the policy is based on common sense, facts, and science, restoring dignity, fairness, and safety for women and girls in sport. She also noted that while not retroactive, the policy does not prevent the IOC from providing remedies, such as apologies or retrospective medals, for past injustices against female athletes.

Key Points: UN Expert Supports IOC Policy on Transgender Athletes in Female Sports

  • IOC policy limits female Olympic events to biological females
  • Policy effective from Los Angeles 2028 Games
  • UN expert calls it necessary and proportionate
  • Policy aims to protect women's rights in sport
  • Non-retroactive but allows remedies for past injustices
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UN expert welcomes IOC's policy to bar transgender athletes from female events

UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem welcomes IOC's new policy limiting female Olympic categories to biological females for fairness and safety.

"The new policy is rooted in common sense, facts, and science. It restores dignity, fairness and safety for women and girls in Olympic sport. - Reem Alsalem"

Geneva, April 3

The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls Reem Alsalem welcomed the International Olympic Committee's policy on the 'Protection of the Female Category in Olympic Sport'.

Last month, the IOC announced a new policy on the protection of the female (women's) category in Olympic sport, which explains that, for all disciplines on the sports programme of an IOC event, including the Olympic Games and for both individual and team sports, eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females.

The policy, approved by the IOC Executive Board, will take effect from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games onwards and is not retroactive. It applies to all female category events, including both individual and team sports. The IOC also encouraged International Federations (IFs) and other sports governing bodies to adopt the policy when implementing eligibility rules for IOC events.

"The new policy is rooted in common sense, facts, and science. It restores dignity, fairness and safety for women and girls in Olympic sport," Alsalem said. "I welcome this policy as a necessary, proportionate and legitimate step to ensure the protection of women and girls, in line with international human rights law and standards.

"Evidence-based approaches, including the recognition of the material reality of sex, must guide the development, monitoring, and review of sport policy at all levels," she added.

Alsalem said that while the policy is not retroactive, it does not preclude the IOC from providing appropriate remedies for past injustices, such as issuing an apology to female athletes who were denied fair competition, and to consider awarding retrospective parallel medals.

"Such measures would demonstrate a recognition of the harm suffered by female athletes and signal a genuine commitment to accountability and restoring their rights, including guarantees that it will not happen again," she said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Common sense prevails! For years, we've seen female athletes' hard work being undermined. Fairness should be the top priority in competitive sports. Good move by the IOC.
A
Aman W
While I understand the need for fairness, I hope this policy is implemented with great sensitivity. Transgender athletes deserve dignity too. The conversation shouldn't become hateful. We need to find a balanced path forward.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the UN expert supporting this. In India, we have a rich history of celebrating our female athletes like P.T. Usha, Mary Kom, and P.V. Sindhu. Protecting the category that allows them to shine is crucial for the next generation.
V
Vikram M
Finally! Sports should be about merit and fair competition. You can't ignore biological advantages. This policy from 2028 is a step in the right direction. Better late than never.
K
Kavya N
I have mixed feelings. Protecting women's sports is important, yes. But simply barring people feels like a blunt solution. Couldn't they create a separate category or have more nuanced eligibility criteria based on hormone levels etc.? There must be a better way.

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