Letter calls for fairness

• Date: 10 June 2021
• Published date: 10 June 2021

The 43 athletes, including former Olympians Barbara Kendall, Lorraine Moller and Dean Kent, former Olympic chef de mission and Emeritus Professor David Gerrard, and New York marathon winner Alison Roe, signed an open letter to Minister of Sport Grant Robertson asking that he urgently intervene to extend consultation on the draft Guiding Principles for the Participation of Transgender Players in Sport, to enable consideration by people who would be affected by the policy.

If confirmed, the policy would enable the participation of transgender women (biological men) in girls’ and women’s sport at all levels in New Zealand with no explanation or transition. It has been shared with select groups and government agencies, but not sports stakeholders, Sport New Zealand confirming that it had no intention of inviting individual athletes or sporting associations to comment before submissions close on June 21.

“As an Olympian and Professor of Sports Medicine, I’m a staunch advocate for safety and fairness in women’s sport. Such an important document deserves wider distribution and consultation,” Gerrard said.

“The existing process has not engaged meaningfully with key sporting organisations, clubs and their stakeholders. This policy has potential to significantly affect competition and participation in women’s sports. It is vital that discussion isn’t held behind closed doors by a select few.”

Gerrard said transwomen athletes who transitioned after puberty retained significant, measurable physical benefits in sport, and that was neither fair nor safe.

“Our concerns are supported by a body of unequivocal international research, highlighting the advantages transwomen have over female competitors, even after testosterone suppression. The rights of the female athlete have...