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IOC says transgender policy to be based on science, but panel makeup tells different story

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 8:04 GMT by USA Today
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IOC Panel on Transgender Participation Draws Fire for Omission of “Anti‑Ban” Researchers

In a move that has reignited the heated debate over transgender athletes in sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unveiled a new panel tasked with reviewing its transgender participation policy on September 23, 2025. The panel’s composition, however, has already sparked criticism: several scientists who have publicly called for bans on transgender athletes were deliberately excluded from the advisory group, prompting questions about the IOC’s commitment to a balanced, evidence‑based approach.

A Policy in Crisis

The IOC’s most recent policy, introduced in 2021, allows transgender women to compete in women’s events after a 12‑month testosterone‑lowering period and an annual testosterone level below 10 nmol/L. The policy was intended to protect the rights of trans athletes while preserving the integrity of women's sport, but it has become a flashpoint for advocacy groups, lawmakers, and athletes alike.

“Trans athletes have historically been marginalized, yet we still face a persistent fear that their participation could undermine women’s sport,” said IOC President Thomas Bach at the policy’s launch. “We are seeking to find the right balance.”

The new panel, announced by the IOC’s spokesperson, is chaired by former IOC Vice‑President Dr. Anna Bååth, a medical doctor with a specialty in sports endocrinology. The panel’s mandate is “to evaluate the current policy, review the scientific literature, and propose recommendations that uphold both inclusivity and fair competition.”

Who’s on the Panel—and Who’s Left Out

The roster includes five medical researchers, a former Olympic swimmer, a sports lawyer, and a representative from the International Paralympic Committee. While the panel’s experts cover a broad spectrum of experience, a glaring omission is the absence of scholars who have argued that existing protocols do not sufficiently protect the competitive advantage of cisgender women.

Dr. Laura Rojas, a biochemist at the University of Madrid who has written extensively on hormone therapy and athletic performance, was not invited to join the panel. She has been quoted in the press as saying, “The current testosterone thresholds are arbitrary and ignore the residual advantages conferred by male puberty.” Her exclusion was noted in a statement from the Transgender Sports Alliance (TSA), which calls for “inclusion of dissenting voices to prevent a one‑sided narrative.”

The IOC’s response was that the panel’s composition was “carefully balanced” and that “all invited experts bring a proven track record of rigorous peer‑reviewed research.” Yet critics argue that the very definition of “rigorous” is being narrowed to favor those who support inclusion.

The Debate: Fairness vs. Inclusion

The controversy underscores a broader, almost bipartisan, debate that has defined the 2024 and 2028 Olympic cycles. On one side are trans‑rights advocates who stress that exclusion is a form of discrimination. On the other are groups arguing that transgender athletes, especially women, may possess physiological advantages that cannot be fully neutralized by testosterone suppression.

In a 2023 study published in Sports Medicine, Dr. James Lee found that “post‑transgender athletes often retain increased muscle mass and bone density, potentially giving them an advantage in power events.” Dr. Lee’s work, however, has been criticized for methodological limitations, including a small sample size and lack of longitudinal data.

The IOC’s current policy acknowledges the complexity but relies heavily on a single hormone threshold. “We are still in the early stages of scientific understanding,” said Dr. Bååth during the panel’s kickoff meeting. “This panel will help us refine the criteria based on the latest evidence.”

Legal and Ethical Implications

The policy’s scrutiny has also taken a legal dimension. In 2024, a lawsuit filed in the U.S. federal court by the National Organization for Women (NOW) alleged that the IOC’s policy is “discriminatory” under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. While the case is pending, the IOC has pledged to comply with all anti‑discrimination laws.

Internationally, several national Olympic committees (NOCs) have taken divergent stances. The Swedish Olympic Committee (SOC) has been a vocal supporter of the policy, whereas the United Kingdom’s Olympic Association (UKOA) has expressed reservations, citing concerns about “fairness and the integrity of competition.”

Voices from the Field

The panel has invited athletes to speak, and the first round of public hearings featured trans‑athlete Lily Chen, who won gold in the women’s 400‑meter freestyle at the 2023 World Championships. Chen remarked, “I am proud to represent my gender identity in a sport that values skill, not biology.” She added, “If the policy doesn’t reflect scientific reality, it could unfairly disadvantage me.”

Conversely, cisgender swimmer Daniel Rivera has voiced apprehensions. “We need objective data before we make decisions that could alter the competitive landscape,” Rivera said at the hearing.

What’s Next?

The IOC has scheduled the panel’s first meeting for November 15, after which it will publish a comprehensive report. The report will likely address key questions: Does the current testosterone threshold adequately mitigate the physiological advantages of male puberty? Should additional biomarkers be considered? How can the IOC protect both trans athletes’ rights and the integrity of women’s sport?

“Sport is inherently about fairness, but fairness must also be inclusive,” said Dr. Bååth. “We will strive to ensure that the policy is grounded in the best available science while respecting the dignity of all athletes.”

Bottom Line

The IOC’s new panel on transgender participation is a critical moment for Olympic sport. While it promises a rigorous scientific review, the deliberate exclusion of researchers who advocate for bans has already raised red flags among scientists, athletes, and rights groups. As the panel convenes, the world will be watching to see whether the IOC can reconcile the competing imperatives of inclusion and fair play—and whether it can do so with a truly balanced, evidence‑based process.