NCAA Adopts Sport-By-Sport Approach To Transgender Athletes Competing

The NCAA has adopted a sport-by-sport approach for the issue of transgender athletes competing, which brings the organization in line with the U.S. and International Olympic Committees.

The new guidelines, approved last week and effective immediately, dictate 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.

With no national governing body, that sport’s international federation policy would go into effect. If one is not in place, prior IOC policy criteria takes 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.”

Transgender athletes playing in NCAA events took center stage when Penn swimmer Lia Thomas started shattering records this year. Thomas competed on the men’s team her first three years, but after transitioning she’s competing for the women this season.

“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.”