The Olympic champion is one of the candidates for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee and action on transgender athletes is one of the issues he will address

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Sebastian Coe debates inclusion of transgender athletes in women's competitions

Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics and one of the most influential people in the world of athletics, has announced that if he becomes President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) he will turn the debate on the inclusion of transgender people in women's competitions on its head. The Briton believes that the current rules need to be reviewed to protect the integrity of women's sport.

The issue has come to the fore in recent years, particularly at the Paris 2024 Olympics with the gold medals won by boxers Imane Khelif (Algerian) and Lin Yu-ting (Taiwanese). Both cases fanned the flames after failing gender tests at the last Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) World Championships. The results sparked controversy, especially as the IOC has vetoed the AIBA federation.

As a result, Coe said that international federations are waiting for the IOC to be in charge of defining a clear regulatory framework on the inclusion of trans athletes in women's competitions. It's an issue that needs to be addressed by the Olympic movement, and I think it's time for us to take the lead,’ he said, stressing that women's sport needs to be protected, as failure to do so could have serious consequences.

The former athlete believes that the rules must be unambiguous to avoid ambiguities that could harm competitiveness and fairness in the women's categories. Her position is clear and categorical and reflects a common concern: ‘If we don't establish clear rules, we could be jeopardising the existence of women's sport as we know it. I'm not prepared to let that happen,’ said the Briton.

At 67, Sebastian Coe remains a major influence in the world of sport after his time as Olympic champion in athletics. Since he became president of World Athletics in 2015, he has had to go through several crises, such as that of Lamine Diack. Despite this, he has managed to impose a firm leadership and now his sights are set on the IOC.

Coe has not hesitated to say that he is perfectly prepared for the job: ‘I think I've been training for this job all my life, ever since I was 11 years old when I first put on my running shoes,’ he said. Coe is up against other leading candidates, including former Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry, who is one of the favourites in the election. Coventry, who already sits on the IOC executive committee, has said on several occasions that it is time for a woman to lead the IOC.

The debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes and the regulations governing their participation in women's competitions is one of the hot topics Coe will have to deal with if she becomes IOC president. In the meantime, the eyes of the world will be on the 2025 elections.

The debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes and the regulations governing their participation in women's competitions will undoubtedly be one of the most heated issues Coe will have to deal with if he becomes IOC president. It is an issue that divides public opinion, both inside and outside the sporting arena.