New IOC guidelines: Transgender athletes can take part in Olympics without surgery

The Olympic movement has changed guidelines on transgender athletes, saying they don't need to have undergone full surgery to compete as a member of their preferred sex.

The new guidelines potentially pave the way for transgender athletes like Chris Mosier to compete.

There's even better news for these men; according to transgender guidelines approved by the International Olympic Committee, genitalia does not serve as a prerequisite.

The consensus meeting, held in November, was attended by 20 figures, including IOC Executive Board member and Medical and Scientific Commission chairman Uğur Erdene and medical and scientific director Richard Budgett. "This should give them the confidence and stimulus to put these rules in place".

According to Kahrl, this is in stark contrast to the Olympics' previous rules, which required gender reassignment surgery in order for transgender athletes to compete.

"The athlete must demonstrate that her total testosterone level in serum has been below 10 nmol/L (nanomols per liter) for at least 12 months prior to her first competition", the guidelines explain.

They'll also have their testosterone levels tested at least a year before competition with the option to take more measurements throughout the games to ensure it's at a fair amount.

"The new International Olympic Committee transgender guidelines fix nearly all of the deficiencies with the old rules", she said.

"To avoid discrimination, if not eligible for female competition the athletes hould be eligible to compete in male competition".

Trans women will still face some obstacles to taking part in women's events, requiring a consistent testosterone level "below 10 nmol/L" - but without restrictions on those who haven't undergone gender surgery. The new rules, leaked to Outsports, improve significantly on former rules that required sex reassignment surgery, a process that is financially out of reach for many trans people, and that excluded hyperandrogynous women. We needed to adapt to the modern legislation around the world. "I think it is official", in response to the news. It takes quite some time.

It remains to be seen whether the International Triathlon Union, which provides oversight on World Championship events like tri- and duathlons, would adopt these policies in time for Mosier to compete.

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand was suspended in 2014 over hyperandrogenism, missing out on the Commonwealth and Asian games, only to have the rule suspended and be allowed to compete in 2015. She was later cleared to compete and won silver in the 800m in the last Olympic games in London.

• Broncos beat Pats for trip to Super Bowl

• Toronto police officer found guilty of attempted murder

• Russian Federation attacks findings of Alexander Litvinenko inquiry