Statement on Transgendered Athlete participation

The Executive Committee of WomenSport International has been asked, through its member on the IOC Medical Commission Medical and Scientific Working Group, to support the Medical Commission proposed policy on Transgendered Athlete participation.

This matter is one in which civil action on behalf of the individual human rights of a transgendered person has, in some countries, proceeded at a pace that far outstrips hard scientific evidence on many matters including the residual effect of male gender assignment during formative bio- genetic/child and adolescent development of the female transgendered athlete. Notwithstanding the various questions raised by the relatively recent legal and bio-medical advances for transgendered individuals, the IOC has been faced with civil law that allows immediate full rights, including that of athletic competition, to an individual who claims transgendered status.

Given the range of possibilities of this environment, WSI supports the efforts of the IOC Medical Commission to offer policy that places conditions of proof on the eligibility of the female transgendered athlete to compete in the 2004 Olympic games.

This statement reflects the views of the WSI Executive Committee as there was not sufficient time available to us to submit this matter to the review of the full membership of our organization.

WomensportInternational Executive Committee
Carole Oglesby
Kari Fasting
Barbara Drinkwater
Carol Rodgers

The WSI executive would appreciate feedback from the membership on the above statement. Please forward to the President.

WomenSport International
P.O. Box 743
Vashon, WA
USA