Sebastian Coe’s remarks on safeguarding women’s categories in sports have resonated deeply amidst the ongoing campaign for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Serving as president of World Athletics, Coe stressed the critical importance of protecting female sports, stating that failing to do so could jeopardise the future of women’s athletic competitions. His comments come as the IOC grapples with its policies regarding gender eligibility and athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD).
As the IOC prepares for a significant vote in Olympia, the candidates—including Coe—are positioning their views on this contentious topic. The current IOC policy prioritises human rights, allowing international federations, like World Athletics and the International Weightlifting Federation, to determine the eligibility of athletes in women’s categories. This framework enabled transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard to compete in the women’s weightlifting events at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, after having undergone male puberty.
Recent decisions also saw boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting participate in women’s divisions at the Paris Olympics under the IOC’s oversight, despite claims from the International Boxing Association regarding their gender eligibility. Khelif emerged victorious in her weight class, raising further discussion about potential unfair advantages.
Coe, however, is notably firm about his position on the issue, having previously enforced stricter rules in 2023 that prohibit transgender women who have gone through male puberty from competing in elite athletics. Additionally, he lowered the testosterone threshold for DSD athletes to 2.5 nanomoles per litre. This shift has had significant implications, including the career rerouting of South African runner Caster Semenya, who, formerly an 800-metre champion, has had to shift to longer distances due to these restrictions.
Critics, including tennis legend Martina Navratilova, have voiced their concerns regarding the inclusion of athletes like Khelif and Lin in women’s categories, suggesting the IOC’s current framework may be flawed. Mark Adams, an IOC spokesperson, acknowledged the complexities in balancing fairness with inclusivity in sports, urging experts within each sport to make discernible decisions regarding competition eligibility.
Thus, as the world anticipates a new IOC president, the potential for radical shifts in policies pertaining to gender and sport hangs in the balance. Coe’s candidacy may herald significant changes, particularly given his outspoken commitment to ensure clarity and fairness in women’s sports, a sector he deems essential to preserve. The unfolding decisions will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of athletics and gender representation in the Olympic arena.