Will any transgender athletes compete in the 2024 Olympics?

The rules and regulations for transgender athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics are stricter than those at previous Games.

The Olympic Games in the French capital will go down in history as the first gender-equal games, with 50 percent of the medals going to women, a first for such an event.

As interest in transgender athletes continues to grow, concerns have emerged that transgender women have an unfair advantage over other athletes, and many federations have introduced strict guidelines.

What are the rules?

The International Olympic Committee, which oversees the Games, has no specific rules or regulations, instead including 10 guiding principles. The governing body also states that “each international federation is responsible for establishing the eligibility rules for its sport, including the eligibility criteria that determine qualification for the Olympic Games.”

The guidelines require transgender women to transition before the age of 12 to qualify as women, in order to avoid the potential biological advantages of male puberty.

Which sports do these rules apply to?

The IOC guidelines were adopted by World Athletics and Fina, swimming’s governing body.

In cycling, these guidelines apply to the women’s category, but an “open” category is also allowed, replacing the current “men’s category” to allow transgender athletes to compete.

World Rowing allows pre-pubertal transitions to compete, with one of the criteria being a testosterone level below 2.5 nmol/l for at least 24 months. IOC guidelines apply to rugby.

However, in triathlon, tennis and archery, testosterone levels must be below a certain limit for athletes to compete.

In other sports, transgender athletes can compete on a case-by-case basis.

Will there be any transgender or non-binary athletes at the Paris Olympics?

Laurel Hubbard competed in the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first openly transgender athlete to do so, and finished last in her group. She is not competing in Paris.

Nikki Hiltz is transgender and non-binary, uses “they/them” pronouns, but has always competed in the women’s category and will represent the U.S. at the upcoming Olympics. They set a U.S. record in the 1,500-meter qualification, earning them a spot on the Olympic team.

Quinn, a non-binary Canadian soccer player, was also selected to represent her country at the Olympics. The midfielder, who plays for Toronto, has always competed in the women’s categories.

No transgender women will compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Which transgender athletes are not allowed to compete in Paris?

American BMX rider Chelsea Wolfe had hoped to race in Paris before cycling’s governing body, the UCI, changed the rules and ended her hopes. She qualified for Tokyo 2020 as a reserve.

Halba Diouf’s dream has been dashed with the introduction of new World Athletics regulations that have effectively prevented the Senegalese-born French sprinter from competing in Paris.

Swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win a U.S. college championship title in 2022, but lost a lawsuit against World Aquatics over her right to compete, leaving the American still barred from competing in the women’s category.