Organizers of the Official Strongman Games have stripped US athlete Jammie Booker of the ‘World’s Strongest Woman’ title after discovering they were biologically male.
This decision has sparked renewed debate over the participation of transgender athletes in women’s competitions. The controversy has grown following similar incidents, such as the cases of US swimmer Lia Thomas and New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, who are also facing scrutiny over their eligibility in female sports categories. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) previously stated there should be “no presumption of advantage” for transgender competitors but later delegated eligibility decisions to individual federations. However, the issue resurfaced at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won a gold medal despite earlier gender eligibility disputes, prompting former IOC President Thomas Bach to suggest that there is “no scientifically solid system” to distinguish between men and women in sports.
In light of these complexities, the IOC is reportedly preparing new eligibility rules for the Olympics, which may bar transgender women from female categories under a revised policy expected next year. This shift is based on a scientific review indicating that the physical advantages associated with male puberty can persist even after testosterone levels are reduced. As the debate continues, both athletes and organizers are forced to navigate a contentious landscape, with no clear consensus on how to balance fairness, inclusivity, and the integrity of competitive sports.