IOC forms panel to examine gender issues in Olympic sports, safeguarding experts’ anonymity

A new Olympic panel has been formed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to investigate female gender matters in Olympic sports in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The names of the appointed experts to this panel are being kept confidential, as announced by the IOC. The creation of this panel on the “Protection of the Female Category” was proposed by Kirsty Coventry, the first female President of the IOC, following a contentious issue surrounding women’s boxing at the Paris Summer Games.

The issue of women’s participation in sports has been a point of contention, with governing bodies such as boxing and track and field requiring female athletes to undergo sex tests. The scrutiny of transgender female athletes has also come to the forefront, as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee recently enforced a ban on transgender women from participating in Olympic sports following an executive order by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to the IOC, the decision to keep the names of the panel members confidential is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the panel and its work. The IOC has also announced the formation of three other expert groups focusing on reviewing Olympic sports programs and calendars, commercial issues, and the Youth Olympics. However, only the female protection panel’s list of members will remain undisclosed for the time being.

The timeline for the panel’s work has not been specified but is expected to commence at the earliest opportunity as part of the broader IOC initiative titled “Fit for the Future.” An additional group will concentrate on evaluating the global calendar amidst environmental changes and the probable relocation of the 2036 Summer Games from its traditional July-August timeframe. Potential candidate countries like India and Qatar have been suggested as possible hosts, though the panel’s evaluation process remains unspecified.

The commercial and marketing group, including IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch, will be examining how to enhance engagement with Olympic partners and adapt to the competitive market environment. With minimal sponsor branding present at Olympic venues, the focus is on developing new revenue streams from platforms such as the Olympic Channel and in-house broadcasting operations.

Furthermore, a panel dedicated to the Youth Olympics will explore the event’s potential and significance, as well as the selection process for the 2030 host. These initiatives align with the IOC’s commitment to evolve, generate more revenue, and enhance the Olympic movement’s sustainability.