Finally, common sense has prevailed at the International Olympic Committee (IOC). If rumours are to be believed, a blanket ban on transgender-identifying men competing in women’s Olympic events is set to be introduced. At last!
This is great news for female athletes who will no longer have to endure the indignity and inherent unfairness of being made to compete against males. And it will no doubt be a huge relief for women who engage in contact sports, such as boxing, and who were put in danger by being made to face bulkier, stronger rivals. But why has it taken the IOC so long to see sense?
Feminists have long known that defending women’s rights is a marathon, not a sprint. But when it comes to single-sex sports, this marathon has been undertaken at snail’s pace. Rather than simply saying ‘no’ to cheating men, the IOC has been around the houses. Since the last Olympics, it has elected a new president, established a ‘working group’, launched a review and commissioned a presentation. Even after all of this, we are told that ‘no decisions have been taken yet’.
The cause for celebration this week is solely down to sources having revealed ‘that a ban is likely to be introduced in 2026’, but probably not before February’s Winter Olympics in Italy. In fact, the ban may not take full effect until the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
Sadly, this will be far too late for New Zealand’s women weight lifters. They missed out on the life-changing opportunity to compete in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, when their spot was taken by transgender athlete, Laurel Hubbard. Hubbard competed in men’s events before declaring himself to be transgender in 2013. He took medication to reduce his testosterone levels and – hey presto! – gained a place in the female category. Hubbard did not win a medal at the games, but, unlike the women who did take the top spots, he garnered global media plaudits.
Hellbound and Down 