Statement In Response To The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Banning Transgender Women From Competing In Women’s Sports
Our hearts go out to every transgender athlete impacted by this decision, whose Olympic and Paralympic dreams have become that much harder to be realized.
Following the NCAA’s similar policy reversal, trans athletes could still find hope in knowing that they still had an opportunity to access sport through the club to Olympic pipeline. This decision Is yet another striking blow to that hope for a more inclusive and equitable solution and further contributes to the erasure of transgender people from existing safely in society. We mourn for the careers that will be lost because of this decision and for every transgender young person who will never have the opportunity to play sports because of this.
Furthermore, this policy change is another example of an institution giving up their authority and expertise to politicians who have no credibility dictating athlete safety. This rule change is not in response to new research or new guidelines from medical experts in sports. Instead, it is the result of mounting political pressure and government hostility toward one of the smallest minorities in society, let alone sports.
We will continue to advocate for decisions to be made by the people and institutions who have authority and expertise and who make their policy decisions on peer-reviewed sport specific research. Any erosion of that authority or expertise is not only a threat to the well-being of the future of sports, but to any industry hoping to make informed, evidence based, and expert led decisions.