Summary
Global sports leaders have agreed on new eligibility rules for transgender athletes. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) plans to introduce this policy in the first half of the year. The policy may limit transgender athletes who have completed male puberty from competing in women's categories.
Key Facts
- The IOC has reached a consensus on new eligibility criteria for transgender athletes.
- The policy will apply to major sports events including the Olympics and world championships.
- Currently, individual sports federations have their own rules for transgender athletes.
- The new policy might restrict transgender athletes who completed male puberty from competing in women's sports.
- IOC President Kirsty Coventry plans to protect the female sports category.
- The IOC set up a "Protection of the Female Category" working group to study this issue.
- Under existing rules, only a few transgender athletes have participated in the Olympics, such as Laurel Hubbard of New Zealand.
- President Donald Trump banned transgender athletes from competing in female categories in the US with an executive order.
