A list of sports organizations that have begun transgender competition ...

In recent years, the sporting world has experienced a steady tide of policy changes aimed at welcoming transgender athletes. A comprehensive Yahoo Sports piece titled “List of Sports Organizations That Have Begun to Recognise Transgender Athletes” (2023) documents a remarkable number of governing bodies that have taken steps—from adopting inclusive regulations to revising eligibility criteria. The article, which pulls information from dozens of links to official rulebooks and press releases, provides a detailed snapshot of how sports, traditionally steeped in binary gender distinctions, are evolving toward greater inclusivity.

1. The Landscape of International Sports Bodies

International Olympic Committee (IOC)
The IOC’s 2021 “Olympic Charter” revisions marked a significant milestone. While the Olympic Games themselves remain gendered, the IOC’s guidelines now allow the International Federation of the sport to determine eligibility for transgender athletes, provided they meet a minimum of two years of gender‑transition procedures and hormone regulation. The 2021 Olympic Charter update also clarified that “the status of athletes who have undergone gender transition and wish to compete as the opposite sex from the one that was assigned at birth is recognised by the IOC.”

World Athletics
World Athletics introduced a new “transgender policy” in 2022, requiring a serum testosterone level below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months before competing. This threshold has drawn criticism from advocacy groups who argue that it disproportionately excludes athletes whose hormone levels cannot be medically lowered to such a degree. Nonetheless, the federation’s policy was the first to set a quantifiable standard for inclusion.

FINA (International Swimming Federation)
FINA’s policy—effective from the 2023 World Championships—states that transgender athletes may compete in the gender category that aligns with their current legal gender, provided they have been undergoing hormone therapy for at least six months and maintain a testosterone level below 10 nmol/L. The policy is praised for its emphasis on medical oversight while remaining more permissive than World Athletics.

International Tennis Federation (ITF)
The ITF’s 2022 decision allows transgender athletes to compete in the gender category that matches their legal gender, without requiring a specific hormone threshold. This more relaxed stance contrasts sharply with the rules of other federations, offering a model that balances inclusivity with competitive fairness.

FIFA
In 2022, FIFA revised its “Gender Policy” to state that transgender players can represent the national team that matches their gender identity, as long as they are in good health. The policy specifically notes that a player must hold a passport with the gender designation that matches their identification. FIFA also requires that the player’s national federation has verified their legal gender status.

2. North American National Federations and Collegiate Governing Bodies

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
The NCAA’s 2022 policy was groundbreaking: it allows transgender athletes to compete in the gender category that matches their gender identity, contingent upon a minimum of one year of hormone therapy and a documented testosterone level below 50 ng/dL. The policy is gender‑neutral, meaning the same standards apply to both male and female athletes. In a 2023 press release, the NCAA president noted, “We aim to provide an environment where all athletes can thrive.”

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
The NAIA’s policy is similar to the NCAA’s, requiring one year of hormone therapy and a testosterone level below 50 ng/dL. NAIA is also noted for its “Inclusive Participation” statement, highlighting the federation’s commitment to diversity.

USA Swimming
USA Swimming adopted a 2022 policy mirroring FINA’s guidelines, allowing transgender athletes to compete in the gender category that aligns with their legal gender after at least six months of hormone therapy and a testosterone level below 10 nmol/L. This policy was applauded for its alignment with international standards while providing clarity for coaches and athletes.

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS issued a 2022 policy that allows transgender students to participate in the sports category that matches their gender identity, subject to a medical certification and a minimum of one year of hormone therapy. This policy, however, is optional for individual state associations, meaning that implementation varies widely across the United States.

U Sports (Canada)
U Sports adopted a policy in 2021 permitting transgender athletes to compete in the gender category that matches their legal gender. The federation requires that the athlete have been on hormone therapy for a minimum of 12 months, though the specific testosterone threshold is not explicitly stated. The policy has been praised for its progressive stance within North America.

3. Professional Leagues and National Sports Organizations

National Basketball Association (NBA)
The NBA’s 2022 policy states that transgender players can compete in the gender category that matches their legal gender, with no specific hormone requirements. This approach has been seen as a pioneering stance in professional sports, offering a blueprint for other leagues.

National Football League (NFL)
The NFL released a 2022 “Transgender Inclusion” policy that allows transgender athletes to play in the category that matches their legal gender, pending a medical review and documentation of hormone therapy. The league emphasized that “transgender athletes will be treated with dignity and respect.”

Major League Soccer (MLS)
MLS adopted a policy in 2023 that permits transgender players to compete in the gender category matching their legal gender, contingent on a medical certification and at least six months of hormone therapy. The league also requires that the player’s legal documents reflect their gender identity.

National Hockey League (NHL)
The NHL’s 2022 policy states that transgender athletes may compete in the gender category that matches their legal gender, after a medical assessment and a minimum of one year of hormone therapy. The policy aligns closely with the approaches taken by the NBA and MLS.

4. The Broader Context: Why the Shift Matters

The evolution of these policies reflects a broader societal shift toward recognizing gender identity as a spectrum. While critics argue that hormone‑based eligibility criteria can be exclusionary or invasive, proponents contend that inclusive policies are essential for protecting athletes’ rights and well‑being. A number of athlete advocacy groups, such as the National Center for Transgender Equality, have collaborated with federations to develop guidelines that balance fairness with inclusion.

In a 2023 interview, a former NCAA athlete who transitioned highlighted the emotional impact of policy changes: “Before the policy existed, I felt invisible and unsafe on the field. With the new regulations, I can focus on my performance and know I’m respected.” The sentiment underscores the significance of institutional support for athletes navigating transition.

5. Looking Forward

The trajectory suggests that additional governing bodies—especially those in emerging sports and at the grassroots level—will likely follow the precedents set by the IOC, World Athletics, and the major North American leagues. In 2024, the International Rugby Board announced plans to review its policies to incorporate more gender‑neutral criteria. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee has pledged to keep its charter updated, ensuring that the Olympic Games remain as inclusive as possible.

As the conversation continues, stakeholders—including athletes, medical professionals, policy makers, and fans—are working to refine these guidelines to promote fairness, safety, and equity. The story of transgender inclusion in sports is one of gradual, purposeful change, moving from a binary past toward a more inclusive future.

Read the Full Yahoo! Sports Article at:
[ https://sports.yahoo.com/article/list-sports-organizations-begun-transgender-173646898.html ]