IOC leadership candidates push for clarity in gender eligibility policies
Presidential hopefuls emphasize the need for clear guidelines to protect women's sports and ensure fairness.
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Daily TribunePresidential hopefuls emphasize the need for clear guidelines to protect women's sports and ensure fairness.
COMBO) This combination of pictures shows candidates for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (FROM TOP L) Sebastian Coe, Kirsty Coventry, Johan Eliasch, Prince Feisal al-Hussein of Jordan, David Lappartient, Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior and Morinari Watanabe speaking during a press conference following a presentation before fellow IOC members, in Lausanne on 30 January 2025. Seven candidates are competing in the elections for the IOC presidency at the 143rd IOC Session, to be held in Greece from 18 TO 21 March 2025.
FRANCK FIFE, FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
As the race for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency heats up, candidates are highlighting the need for clear gender eligibility policies to address one of the most debated issues in sports today. According to a report by Gretelle Jimenez of Inside the Games, IOC presidential hopefuls are calling for stronger leadership in guiding federations on policies related to the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Candidates gathered in Lausanne, Switzerland on Thursday, where they presented their platforms behind closed doors before engaging with the media in a brief Q&A session. While topics such as sustainability, modernization, and Russia’s participation in global sports were discussed, gender eligibility — one of the most contentious issues in Olympic competition — was specifically addressed to one candidate: Kirsty Coventry.
Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer and current member of the IOC Executive Board, emphasized that the committee must take a unified approach to ensure fairness in women's sports. "We need to be very clear on the policies in and around women's sport," she stated, adding that collaboration with international federations is necessary for effective implementation.
Coventry was also asked about the controversial boxing match at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Angela Carini withdrew from her bout against Imane Khelif after experiencing what she described as the hardest hit of her life. Coventry responded that athletes deserve a level playing field and that the IOC must create an environment where every competitor feels safe and supported.
While Coventry was the only candidate directly questioned on the issue, other IOC hopefuls have made gender eligibility policies a key part of their manifestos. Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, has been vocal about his stance, advocating for science-based policies and maintaining that the IOC must provide clear leadership without enforcing a blanket ban on transgender athletes.
Meanwhile, Johan Eliasch takes a firmer stance, insisting that women’s sports must be protected without exceptions. His manifesto explicitly states that only athletes born female should be eligible to compete in women's categories, eliminating any potential grey areas.
Another leading candidate, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., has echoed calls for unambiguous distinctions between men's and women's categories, emphasizing that the IOC has a responsibility to establish definitive guidelines.
With growing pressure from federations and stakeholders, the next IOC president will play a crucial role in shaping the future of gender eligibility in sports. As the Olympic movement navigates evolving social and political landscapes, the debate over fairness, inclusion, and competitive integrity remains at the forefront of global sports discussions.
