The Daily Mail notes that the initiative aims to broaden participation for transgender women in women’s football. It mentions that FIFA plans to adjust the testosterone threshold used to govern eligibility, allowing athletes to compete in line with their gender identities. Consultations are continuing to refine and adopt these reforms.
According to reports, a transgender woman may still be barred from a competition if there is a demonstrable residual competitive advantage. A panel of experts in medicine, psychology, law, and human rights would be formed for each individual case to assess fairness and determine eligibility.
One of the most widely cited examples is Laurel Hubbard, a transgender weightlifter from New Zealand who competed at the Tokyo Games. Hubbard qualified for the Olympics after selection rules were adjusted for the event. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set a guideline for women’s events that testosterone levels must fall below 10 nanomoles per liter of blood serum in the year leading up to the competition.
Hubbard had already been competing against cisgender athletes since 2017, when she claimed first place in the over-90-kilogram division at the Australian Open. That year she also earned a silver medal at the World Championships, lifting 124 kilograms in the snatch and 151 kilograms in the clean and jerk.
In the Olympics themselves, Hubbard did not secure a podium finish and failed to complete a successful attempt on at least one of her attempts, despite entering as a strong medal contender.
A second notable case involves swimmer Leah Thomas, who has won multiple golds at the US Women’s Championships and set records in various events. In interviews, Thomas has stated that the aim of her transition was personal happiness and equality, not an effort to dominate competition. She has emphasized that transgender women competing in women’s sports do not pose a threat to the integrity of women’s events.
In August 2021, the International Skating Union (ISU) officially allowed transgender athletes to compete. The ISU requires a formal declaration of gender when moving from female to male competition, and it restricts changes after hormone therapy begins. To move from men’s to women’s categories, total testosterone must be below a specified threshold for the 12 months prior to the first competition and maintained during the season.
On June 19, FIFA announced the creation of an open category for transgender participants, while the President, Hussein Al-Musallam, expressed support for inclusivity alongside a commitment to fair play and the protection of all athletes, particularly women. This approach marks a shift toward offering separate, open-category options within elite competitions, with a working group established to organize participation and report its progress within six months.
There are still places where participation rules have tightened. For instance, in January 2022, British Cycling updated its rules to allow trans and non-binary athletes to compete with cisgender women, but the International Cycling Union subsequently intervened in Emily Bridges’ case, which was reviewed after hormone therapy began. The federation then temporarily suspended transgender participation in official races as the rules underwent reassessment.
The IOC Executive Board endorsed a framework in late 2021 outlining principles for including transgender athletes in sports. The document notes that testosterone levels alone are not the sole determinant of fair competition, and that hormonal therapy is not a universal prerequisite for Olympic eligibility. The legacy rules, dating back to 2004, are contrasted with the newer emphasis on individualized assessment and fairness across events.
Overall, the discussion centers on balancing inclusion with competitive fairness, acknowledging the diverse experiences of athletes while upholding the integrity of women’s competitions as observed in recent developments and policy adjustments.