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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis-based NCAA has adopted a sport-by-sport approach for transgender athletes, bringing the organization in line with the U.S. and International Olympic Committees.
Under the new guidelines, approved by the NCAA Board of Governors on Wednesday, transgender participation for each sport will be determined by the policy for the sport’s national governing body, subject to review and recommendation by an NCAA committee to the Board of Governors.
When there is no national governing body, that sport’s international federation policy would be in place. If there is no international federation policy, previously established IOC policy criteria would take over.
“Approximately 80% of U.S. Olympians are either current or former college athletes,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a release. “This policy alignment provides consistency and further strengthens the relationship between college sports and the U.S. Olympics.”
The NCAA policy is effective immediately, beginning with the 2022 winter championships.
NCAA rules on transgender athletes returned to the forefront when University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas started smashing records this year. She was on the men’s team her first three years, but she is competing for the women this season after transitioning.
The Board of Governors is suggesting NCAA divisions allow for additional eligibility if a transgender student-athlete loses eligibility based on the policy change. That flexibility is provided they meet the NCAA’s new guidelines.
“We are steadfast in our support of transgender student-athletes and the fostering of fairness across college sports,” Georgetown President John DeGioia said in a release. “It is important that NCAA member schools, conferences and college athletes compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment and can move forward with a clear understanding of the new policy.”
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The NCAA are cowards for not acknowledging science and biology.
Woke trumps science in their world.
“Pat” will be winning a lot of girls’ races now…
This is a big problem, is it? Please!
What would constitute a “big” problem to you? Do you have a daughter who has trained for the better part of her life to be an elite collegiate athlete, only to face off and be pushed down the competitive ladder by another athlete who spent 3 years competing as a man in college, only to shift to the woman’s field for their senior year, and to proceed to crush records?
It sure is, especially in Swimming, & Track. Pull up out of the sand.
Come on! How many trans athletes out there?! Lawdy lawdy lawdy!
Create a 3rd division for the “pats” of the sporting world & let them battle it out
Mens
Womens
Others
Two categories:
Men
Other
Why should women even waste their time in sports where there’s not a level playing field?
NCAA did the usual; kicked the can down the road.
This changes and fixes nothing.. Would have been better for the NCAA to have stayed silent. Expect this issue to come up in more women’s sports very soon.