Lord Coe Vows to Protect Women's Sports from Transgender Participation in Olympics

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Sebastian Coe, renowned for his leadership of the 2012 London Olympics, has pledged to prioritize the integrity of women’s sports should he become president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Coe, one of seven contenders for the role, emphasized his commitment to implementing "science-based policies that safeguard the female category" during the announcement of his candidacy.  

 

In a conversation with Sky News, Coe confirmed his intention to explore a potential ban on transgender women competing in women’s Olympic events if he is elected. "We’ve taken the lead at World Athletics, as you know, and I think for me the principle is very clear," Coe stated. Referring to controversies at the Paris Olympics, Coe remarked, "If you have a vacuum around this policy position, then you end up with some of the things that we witnessed in Paris," a pointed reference to Imane Khelif, whose gold medal win in women’s boxing became contentious after a failed gender eligibility test.  

 

Coe underlined the importance of collaboration in shaping these policies. "I would have a very clear policy that would be unambiguous, clear-cut, but co-curated with all those stakeholders—so that it is relevant to the athletes, sport scientists, the national Olympic committees, the international federations. And they’re telling me that they want to be part of that journey," he explained.  

 

As the current president of World Athletics since 2015, Coe has already spearheaded restrictions on male-to-female transgender athletes and tightened rules regarding athletes with differences in sex development (DSD). His approach aligns with that of other international sports federations, such as swimming, which have adopted similarly restrictive policies.  

 

While Coe’s stance has drawn support from some, others have raised concerns about its implications for the transgender community. Balancing fairness in competition with inclusivity remains a polarizing issue. Juan Antonio Samaranch, a fellow IOC presidential candidate and current vice president, echoed the need for clarity but stopped short of endorsing a blanket ban. "We must do better," Samaranch told Sky News. "We need to find the scientific parameters that can help us put in a decision that affects everybody."  

 

Another candidate, Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski Federation, argued for a unified policy across sports. "The IOC should lead the way, establishing a simple and clear policy to ensure a fair and safe environment for all athletes, particularly women," Eliasch wrote in his manifesto.  

In contrast, David Lappartient, head of World Cycling, advocated for a nuanced approach that respects the complexities of the issue. "It is a complex matter that must be dealt with rationally to strike the right balance between the need to respect human rights and the obligation to ensure fair competition," he wrote, emphasizing the need for solid scientific evidence.  

 

Not all candidates have addressed the issue in detail. Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan, Morinari Watanabe of the International Gymnastics Federation, and former Olympic swimmer Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe have largely refrained from proposing concrete measures. Coventry’s manifesto briefly mentions "strengthening women’s sports by protecting female athletes" without elaboration.  

 

 

Based on a report by Sky News 2024-12-21

 

 

 

 

[jippytum]

So he should. Transgender athletes should be banned from all sports not just the Olympics. 

Men competing as women are cheats. 

 

[Theforgotten1]

A bit slow , only doing it now because the tide as turned