Petition to IOC demands fairness: "Never sacrifice women’s sport"

A global petition delivered to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by ADF International calls for urgent action to uphold fairness and safety in women’s sports. According to a report by Inside the Games, the petition, signed by more than 40,000 individuals, critiques current policies allowing biological males to compete in women’s categories, asserting that such policies undermine fairness, privacy, and the fundamental differences between men and women.

The petition, hand-delivered to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, states:

"Men and women are different. Their physical differences give men athletic advantages in sports. Scientific research continues to acknowledge this reality."

Athletes Speak Out

Riley Gaines, a prominent advocate for fairness in women’s sports and former collegiate swimmer, shared her experiences of competing against males:

"My safety and privacy in the locker room was repeatedly jeopardized. What kind of message does that send?"

British Olympian swimmer Sharron Davies echoed these concerns, highlighting historical injustices like those of the East German doping era and the "wilful negligence" of women’s boxing in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Unfair Advantage Cited in Medals Lost

A report by UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem revealed that women have lost over 890 medals across 29 sports due to males competing in women’s categories. It outlined physiological advantages, including greater muscle mass and lung capacity, that significantly boost male performance in sports.

The petition arrives amid broader global debates, including Tennessee’s legal battle over a law banning puberty blockers for minors. Proponents of the ban argue these treatments pose irreversible risks, while advocates for transgender rights insist such care is essential for mental health support.

Elyssa Koren of ADF International summed up the petition's stance:

"Men and women are different and unique. We should celebrate our complementary strengths – not diminish them at the expense of safety, privacy, and dignity."