International Federations’ Bans Targeting Trans And Intersex Women Athletes Are Turning Their Sports Into “Playgrounds For Discrimination”, ILGA World Alerts

Geneva, 28 June 2022 – In just a few days, two international sport governing bodies have issued new policies that actively exclude trans women athletes from competitions comporting with their gender identity, and target women with some intersex traits – and did so presenting them under the misleading frame of comprehensive ‘inclusion policies,’ ILGA World said today.

FINA – the International Swimming Federation – announced a policy that went into immediate effect, forcing all elite athletes to undergo a compulsory assessment to determine their chromosomal sex as a precondition for their participation in elite competitions. The policy especially targets women athletes, who would be called to “establish to FINA’s comfortable satisfaction that they have not experienced any part of male puberty before age 12”.

A few days later, the International Rugby League (IRL) decided to temporarily ban athletes who have transitioned from male to female from international competition – announcing further consultation and research before their policy is finalised.

“Sport is a fundamental right, and a powerful tool to promote inclusion and respect for all. But these sport governing bodies have decided to take the route of exclusion instead, with decisions that infringe on the very human rights standards that they claim to uphold,” said Julia Ehrt, Executive Director at ILGA World. 

Moreover, these decisions are likely to set an extremely dangerous precedent, to extents that are already visible: according to reports, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has already hinted that track and field could soon follow suit and “review its trans and DSD (differences in sex development) athletes’ policies at the end of the year”.

These sudden decisions come at a time when human rights are increasingly under attack, and sports have become a battlefield – even if women in all their diversity have participated in sports for years without any issue.

These decisions seem to follow extremely concerning and regressive developments in society at large: the policing of the bodies of women in all their diversity, and the exclusion of trans and intersex women under the false pretense of ‘fairness’”, said Luz Elena Aranda, Co-Secretary General at ILGA World. “These policies not only target a restricted group of athletes but expose the whole sporting community to a disproportionate scrutiny of their bodies, and contribute to aggravate the discrimination that trans and intersex women and girls keep facing in their everyday lives.”

“We urge the FINA and the IRL to review their policies, and not to turn their sports into a playground for discrimination.” 

Related news

Submission to UN Human Rights Report on a World of Sport Free Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

Submission to UN Human Rights Report on a World of Sport Free Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

Countering Hate and Discrimination Against All People Impacted in Sport The world of sport is often perceived as a place in which none of the burdens and inequalities of society take place or could possibly exist. Embedded by ideals of excellence, respect and friendship, its philosophy often misleads people to discount the importance of critical […]

READ MORE

Aerial shot of four crew rowers on teal water with Title: Behind the Statistics with blue highlight and eyebrow header above

Episode 2: “Behind the Statistics”

Understanding the data on abuse in sports Watch the second episode of our three-part series exploring scientific data on violence in sports: “Behind the Statistics.” In this video, we dive into prevalence studies and associated factors that put some groups of athletes at higher risk. Led by Dr Aurelie Pankowiak, postdoctoral researcher at the Institute […]

READ MORE

Related resources

Trans, Gender Diverse and Intersex Inclusion in Sports is a Human Right

Trans, Gender Diverse and Intersex Inclusion in Sports is a Human Right

This statement calls for inclusive approaches to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender identity or sex characteristics, can participate safely and equitably in sports. We, the undersigned organizations and individuals committed to gender equality, human rights, social justice, and LGBTIQ+ rights, welcome the report on the right to participate in sports by Alexandra Xanthaki, the […]

READ MORE

Submission to UN Human Rights Report on Combating Discrimination and Violence Against Intersex Persons

Submission to UN Human Rights Report on Combating Discrimination and Violence Against Intersex Persons

Ensuring the Rights of Intersex Athletes to Safe, Inclusive Sports Environments The LGBTI community faces numerous, often unique challenges when it comes to their right to participate in sport. Discriminatory narratives, exclusionary policies, and pervasive online harassment are just a few of the significant obstacles that hinder their ability to engage and enjoy in sports […]

READ MORE

Aerial shot of four crew rowers on teal water with Title: Behind the Statistics with blue highlight and eyebrow header above

Episode 2: “Behind the Statistics”

Understanding the data on abuse in sports Watch the second episode of our three-part series exploring scientific data on violence in sports: “Behind the Statistics.” In this video, we dive into prevalence studies and associated factors that put some groups of athletes at higher risk. Led by Dr Aurelie Pankowiak, postdoctoral researcher at the Institute […]

READ MORE

Join the Network

Sport has the potential to be a catalyst for human development, unity, and freedom, but too often it instead brings harm to its athletes, fans, and communities. We exist to uncover and rectify the many abuses that exist both in and around sport. We aim to transform sports into an authentic force for good.