New IOC guidelines on transgender athletes lauded, but experts say questions remain

New International Olympic Committee guidelines to sports bodies on transgender participation have been hailed as groundbreaking for reversing assumptions that trans women enjoy automatic advantages in female sports.

But several experts say the framework of 10 principles, released by the IOC this week, likely can still be used to restrict the eligibility of trans women.

The IOC said the framework which updates 2015 guidelines introduces a more evidence-based approach to eligibility which requires proof based on peer-reviewed research a trans athlete might have a competitive advantage.

The framework "recognizes both the need to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their gender identity or sex variations, can practice sport in a safe, harassment-free environment" and "the interest of everyone ... to participate in fair competitions where no participant has an unfair and disproportionate advantage over the rest."

The new guidelines are not legally binding and the IOC says it remains "within the remit of each sport and its governing body to determine how an athlete may be at a disproportionate advantage compared with their peers."

"The IOC is therefore not in a position to issue regulations that define eligibility criteria for every sport, discipline or event across the very different national jurisdictions and sport systems."

Canada's Quinn supports framework

The new guidelines have been applauded by prominent Canadian trans athlete Quinn, who uses only one name and who won an Olympic gold medal with the Canada women's soccer team in July, becoming the first openly transgender or non-binary athlete to compete at an Olympic games.

In a statement Quinn said sports policy often "does not reflect the lived experience of marginalized athletes and that's especially true when it comes to transgender athletes and athletes with sex variations.

Dr. Jami Taylor, a political science professor at the University of Toledo, Ohio and expert on LGBTQ politics, said barriers to transgender participation likely will remain.

"Many observers thought the IOC would crack down on transgender participation given the uproar over [New Zealand transgender weightlifter] Laurel Hubbard's participation in the recent summer Olympics," Taylor said. "At least at first glance the new guidelines for the federations start from a place of transgender inclusion."

WATCH | Hubbard makes history competing in Olympic weightlifting:

Taylor told The Associated Press she was "shocked a little" at the relaxation evident in the new IOC approach.

"However, the guidelines are not binding. They also provide a roadmap to restrict eligibility by relying on peer reviewed research in standard six," she said. Standard six says any restrictions on eligibility should be based on robust and peer-reviewed research.

"As noted in standard six, there is a pathway to restrict trans women from competition. I fully expect that to be utilized," Dr. Taylor said.

Taylor has cited the work of Joanna Harper, visiting fellow for transgender athletic performance at England's Loughborough University.

Harper, who is a transgender woman and competitive athlete, told The Guardian that while she welcomed the emphasis on inclusion, playing down competitive advantages is concerning.

"Transgender women are on average, taller, bigger and stronger than cis women and these are advantages in many sports," she said. "It is also unreasonable to ask the sports federations to have robust and peer reviewed research before placing restrictions on trans athletes in elite sport. Such research will take years if not decades."

The IOC has acknowledged the difficulty of balancing inclusiveness with competitive advantage and risk.

Spokesman Christian Klaue said on Tuesday "we have not found the solution to this big question. Clearly this is a topic that will be with us for a long time."