NZ Olympians Demand Review of Transgender Athlete Guidelines

A collective of over 50 New Zealand Olympians, doctors, and sports administrators urge the government to reassess transgender athletes' guidelines in community sports, citing concerns for female athletes' rights and fairness. They presented an open letter to key governmental figures, prompting a broader debate on the issue.

A coalition of more than 50 New Zealand Olympians, doctors, and sports administrators is urging the government to reconsider guidelines on transgender athletes in community sports. The group argues that current policies disregard female athletes' rights and compromise fairness and safety. Their concerns were presented in an open letter addressed to New Zealand's sports minister Chris Bishop, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and foreign minister Winston Peters.

The appeal calls for an immediate review of Sport New Zealand (SNZ) guidelines that allow transgender athletes to compete in amateur sports based on the gender they identify with, without needing to justify or prove their identity. The letter emphasizes the importance of universal sports participation for mental and physical health but contends that women's sports remain fair only when male advantages are excluded.

The group, including former Olympic cyclist Gary Anderson and rower Candice Riley, met with Bishop to discuss their viewpoint. Bishop acknowledged the meeting but had not read the letter at the time. Peters, leader of New Zealand First, reiterated his party's position, prioritizing the fairness and safety of women's sports over what he termed 'woke ideology.' The SNZ guidelines, established in 2022, do not pertain to elite sports.

(With inputs from agencies.)