Recent findings from a World Athletics panel, held in Tokyo, indicate that between 50 and 60 athletes with male biological characteristics have been among the finalists in women’s competitions at global and continental championships since the turn of the millennium. Dr. Stéphane Bermon, head of the Health and Science Department at World Athletics, emphasized the necessity of sex testing due to the over-representation of DSD (differences of sex development) athletes in these finals. This revelation is part of a broader discussion on gender eligibility in sports, a topic that has been further complicated by the performance of athletes like Caster Semenya from South Africa, who won Olympic gold in the 800 meters at the 2012 and 2016 Games, and Christine Mboma, who secured silver in the 200 meters at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The controversy around male athletes competing in women’s sports has led to significant policy changes. In March 2023, World Athletics revised its rules to exclude male-to-female transgender athletes who have undergone male puberty from women’s competitions, with the aim of ensuring fairness and maintaining the integrity of the sport. This shift in policy is seen as the culmination of ongoing debates and the need to address the competitive imbalance that some argue exists due to inherent biological advantages. In addition to the World Athletics stance, the United Nations has also raised concerns, with a report by Reem Alsalem indicating that nearly 900 biological females have been disadvantaged due to the presence of trans athletes in women’s sports. The report titled ‘Violence Against Women and Girls in Sports’ underscores the impact of these challenges on the opportunities and achievements of female athletes.
The new International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Kirsty Coventry, has voiced her support for protecting the female category in sports, noting the overwhelming backing from IOC members. Coventry acknowledged the complexity of the issue and the necessity of a scientific approach, encouraging the inclusion of international federations that have already contributed significant research in this area. She suggested that the IOC might look to the policies of World Athletics for guidance, as the organization has taken a proactive stance in addressing the matter. However, Coventry made it clear that any policy changes would not be applied retroactively, ensuring that past competitions remain unaffected. The recent Paris 2024 Games, which included two boxers winning gold in women’s competition despite previously failing gender-eligibility tests, exemplify the ongoing challenges and the need for a forward-looking approach to policy implementation.