Trans athletes and those with DSD must be treated with respect, and the new testing regime must be run with sensitivity. But this is a step forward
T
he decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to exclude transgender women and most athletes with differences of sex development (DSD) from women’s Olympic sport has won praise from most major sports bodies but criticism from some activist groups.
It also closes the door on a period where often well-intentioned inclusivity came at the expense of sportswomen, and those who pointed out that the rules were not fair.
In the melee of relief and bitter disappointment, misconceptions and confusion have been able to flourish. So why has the IOC changed its rules on elite sport leading up to the 2028 Olympics?
