Written by The new strategic roadmap Olympic Agenda 2020+5 will highlight the importance of gender-equality and fair portrayal practices in communications about the Olympic Games as a priority in the new objectives.
“To encourage the entire Olympic Movement and its stakeholders to entrench gender-equal portrayal practices in all forms of communication.” “The principles of inclusion, diversity and gender equality are enshrined in the Fundamental Principles of Olympism and are integral components of the IOC’s work.”
Tokyo 2020 will be remembered as the first gender-equal Olympic Games in history. It will feature complete balance, there will be at least one female and one male athlete in each of the teams participating in the Games. Paris 2024 is expected to be the first time in Olympic history that there will be participation of an equal number of female and male athletes.
The IOC sees an important next step to promoting gender equality and inclusion is encouraging the Olympic Movement to follow its lead. The focus is now on for the various committees to strive for gender-balanced representation within their decision-making bodies and in their leadership roles.
The new Gender Equality and Inclusion Strategic Framework 2021-2024 builds on the progress already achieved by the IOC. The recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020+5 are central to the Olympic Movement’s vision of “building a better world through sport”.
However, planned discussion by the IOC to lower the strict guidelines for transgender athletes before the Tokyo 2020 Games have stalled because of the inability of the scientists consulted to reach a consensus on the matter. It was thought that they would recommend halving the permitted testosterone levels for trans women competing in elite sport but to date the politics and sensitivities involved have impeded any firm decisions with a project date for a conclusion after the Tokyo Games.
In September 2019 Fair Play For Women presented the executive board of the IOC with a document bearing the signatures of over sixty British Olympic medallists from both sexes requesting that they suspend the transgender guidelines pending further scientific study and analysis.
In 2018 a former member of the Australian men’s handball team, Hannah Mouncey, was not permitted to play in the Australian rules football’s professional women’s league because of the strength inherent to her physique.
However, Laurel Hubbard, was able to be included in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. and in the Asian games, where she won overall gold in the 90+kg category. The New Zealand weightlifter had competed in men’s competition before transitioning at the age of 35.
This month as we gear up for Tokyo, weightlifting NZ high performance director Simon Kent insists that Laurel should be cleared to compete, as the 16th world ranking competitor has earned her spot.
“For us, the current criteria says Laurel can compete, so that’s how we’re moving forward,”
This has drawn fire from the Australian-based group Save Women’s Sport Australasia, which is protesting her participation, comparing it to doping.
“We divide sport by sex, age and capability to ensure fairness and player safety, we understand the desire to be inclusive of diversity, but this should not be at the expense of potential injuries and opportunities for biological women.” – Ro Edge (Spokesperson for Save Women’s Sport Australasia)
Such great measures have been made to ensure the inclusivity of the culture within the IOC and the Olympic Games with regards to fairness between the genders, but they sadly have not extended to encompass other gender situations such as those who are transgender or have undergone reassignment. It is essential that the research is done, and a well-informed set of guidelines be established sooner rather than later so that these talented sportspeople are not left languishing in limbo any longer than they need to.