Liberal sports secretary 'concerned' by IOC biological sex policy for women's events
MP Adam van Koeverden says the IOC’s biological-sex eligibility policy for women’s events is a step backward but won’t stop Canada from pursuing another Olympic bid.
As the International Olympic Committee moves to reserve women’s events for biological females, Canada’s top federal sports official says he is “concerned” but insists the policy won’t stand in the way of the country’s Olympic ambitions.
Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden said Monday he is troubled by the IOC’s decision to require mandatory chromosomal testing for athletes competing in the female category, calling the new eligibility policy a step backward.
Speaking in Calgary, where he announced new funding for high-performance athletes and Olympic hopefuls, van Koeverden argued the return of sex verification testing could discourage women from participating in sport.
“I’m quite concerned that going back in time 30 years, to a time when [gender verification testing] was commonplace, will be harmful to sport, and specifically women’s participation in sport,” he told the National Post.
