As the race for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency heats up, Lord Sebastian Coe, a leading candidate, has sparked controversy by suggesting he would explore a “complete ban on transgender women” competing in women’s categories at the Olympics.
Coe, a four-time Olympic medallist and organiser of the 2012 London Games, described his intent to develop “science-based policies” that purportedly “safeguard the female category.”
During an interview with Sky News, Coe stated his goal for “clear-cut” policies developed in collaboration with athletes, scientists, and other stakeholders. However, LGBTQ+ advocates argue that such measures risk further marginalising transgender athletes and fail to address the nuanced balance between inclusion and fairness.
Coe’s current role as President of World Athletics has drawn criticism after the organisation introduced regulations in 2022 excluding transgender women from elite-level competition. Many viewed these measures as regressive and harmful to trans athletes striving for equal opportunities in sport.
Trans advocates have pointed out the lack of substantial evidence supporting blanket bans, emphasising that such policies ignore the complexity of gender, individual biology, and the broader principle of inclusion that the Olympics symbolise.
Coe is not alone in proposing restrictions on transgender participation. Other candidates for the IOC presidency, including Johan Eliasch (President of the International Ski Federation), David Lappartient (President of the International Cycling Union), and longtime IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch, have also voiced support for limiting trans inclusion in women’s categories.
Eliash proposed barring anyone not assigned female at birth from women’s sports, while Samaranch advocated for an “unambiguous distinction between men’s and women’s categories.” Lappartient suggested that policies must consider female athletes’ concerns but also acknowledged the importance of grounding decisions in scientific evidence.
Critics argue that these stances reflect a broader trend of discriminatory policies within elite sports rather than a commitment to inclusion or fairness.
Proponents of trans-inclusion stress that the Olympic spirit is built on diversity, respect, and equality. Advocacy groups, including LGBTQ+ sports organisations, have urged IOC leadership to adopt nuanced and evidence-based policies that honour these values while recognising the individuality of athletes.
“Excluding transgender women from women’s categories sends a harmful message to young athletes about who belongs in sport,” said an LGBTQ+ advocacy group spokesperson. “The Olympics should lead the way in demonstrating that fairness and inclusion are not mutually exclusive.”
With the IOC presidential election approaching, the decisions made by the next leader will have profound implications for the future of transgender athletes in global sports. Advocates hope for leadership that champions inclusion rather than division.
 presidency heats up, Lord Sebastian Coe, a leading candidate, has sparked controversy by suggesting he would explore a “complete ban on transgender women” competing in women’s categories at the Olympics.){kind=link}