The good news first? People who have medically transitioned can compete in the Olympics.
The bad news? There's a few conditions:
I'm not convinced testicles and ovaries make a difference to hormone levels that would significantly effect sports performance if you are on anti-androgens/ testosterone but there is of course no science on this. I think for many sports there should be an amount of time trans women need to have hormone levels within the cisnormative female range. Two years might be as good a guess as any, but again, I don't think having or not having testicles is directly relevant. I don't see why trans men should have any time on hormone requirements. If anything competing against cis men in the first few years on T will be a disadvantage and they should be free to choose disadvantage over not competing. I can't think of any way in which the shape of your bits and what your ID says effects your sporting ability so I don't think the second two conditions make any sense.
On a practical level, in the UK's medical system, I can't see anyone ever meeting those requirements before they are 22 but in reality it'd likely be a few years older. That's quite old for most sports- but not strength sports! It means most potential Olympians who happen to be trans will miss their chance. I also don't think this policy would be legal in the UK. The UK courts can't make the Olympics change anything but they could challenge sporting bodies who have copied the policy for domestic competitions. In short, if those conditions can't be backed up with science saying they are all required to keep things fair then it is discrimination under the Equality Act.
The bad news? There's a few conditions:
- You must have had your testicles/ovaries removed
- You need to have been on hormones for two years after you have your testicles/ovaries removed
- You must have had external lower surgery
- You must have state issued documents with your gender correct on it
I'm not convinced testicles and ovaries make a difference to hormone levels that would significantly effect sports performance if you are on anti-androgens/ testosterone but there is of course no science on this. I think for many sports there should be an amount of time trans women need to have hormone levels within the cisnormative female range. Two years might be as good a guess as any, but again, I don't think having or not having testicles is directly relevant. I don't see why trans men should have any time on hormone requirements. If anything competing against cis men in the first few years on T will be a disadvantage and they should be free to choose disadvantage over not competing. I can't think of any way in which the shape of your bits and what your ID says effects your sporting ability so I don't think the second two conditions make any sense.
On a practical level, in the UK's medical system, I can't see anyone ever meeting those requirements before they are 22 but in reality it'd likely be a few years older. That's quite old for most sports- but not strength sports! It means most potential Olympians who happen to be trans will miss their chance. I also don't think this policy would be legal in the UK. The UK courts can't make the Olympics change anything but they could challenge sporting bodies who have copied the policy for domestic competitions. In short, if those conditions can't be backed up with science saying they are all required to keep things fair then it is discrimination under the Equality Act.