New Zealand will update its community sport guidelines for transgender athletes after backlash from Olympians and other critics warned the policy is unfair to women, Reuters reported.
A coalition of Olympians, doctors and sports administrators sent a letter in September urging a change to the community sport policies, claiming that they ignore female athletes’ rights, Reuters reported. The guidelines, which are two years old, allow biological males to compete in women’s sports at the amateur level as athletes do not need to prove their identity.
“It is important that transgender people feel able to participate in community sport – but there are obviously difficult issues for sporting bodies to grapple with around fairness and safety as a result of that participation,” Sports and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop said in a Wednesday press release.
“I have come to the view that the Guiding Principles do not reflect legitimate community expectations that sport at a community level should not just be focused on diversity, inclusion and equity – but also prioritise fairness and safety,” he continued. (RELATED: School District Sued After Punishing Parents For ‘Silent Protest’ Against Male Player On Girls Soccer Team)
AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 20: Demonstrators supporting restrictions on transgender student athletes are gathered at the Texas State Capitol on the first day of the 87th Legislature’s third special session on September 20, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images)
The letter from the group argued that athletic competitions are only fair when biological men are not allowed to participate in women’s divisions, citing unfair physical advantages, according to Reuters.
Sport NZ boss Raelene Castle said the organization would work on updating and altering the guidelines, Reuters reported. Bishop said he expects to receive an update in the “coming months.”
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