World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the state of women`s sports is "very fragile" and sports federations need to get it right when writing rules for transgender female athletes. Coe`s comments come after University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I history by winning the women`s 500-yard freestyle in Atlanta last week.

"The integrity of women`s sport — if we don`t get this right — and, actually, the future of women`s sport, is very fragile," Coe was quoted as saying in a British paper The Times on Monday. "These are sensitive issues, they are societal issues — they go way, way beyond sport. I don`t have the luxury to get into endless discussions or the school of moral philosophy."

Thomas competed on the men`s team for three years before transitioning and moving to the women`s team and setting multiple program records. Last month, USA Swimming unveiled a new policy to allow transgender athletes to swim in elite events by setting out criteria that aim to mitigate any unfair advantages. 
The rules include testing to ensure testosterone is below a certain level - five nanomoles per liter continuously for at least 36 months - in transgender athletes who wish to compete against cisgender female swimmers.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/winter-sports-in-india-huge-number-of-female-participants-from-across-country-464286">Winter sports in India: Huge number of female participants from across country</a>

World Athletics requires transgender athletes to have low testosterone levels for at least 12 months before competition, a time period Coe thinks is too short. "We are asking for a greater length of (time) before competition because the residual impact of transitioning like that is more profound," Coe said. "There is no question that testosterone is the key determinant in performance."

Transgender rights have long been a controversial and politically divisive issue in the United States from sports to serving in the military, and even what bathrooms people are allowed to use. Coe said he understands the sensitive nature of the issue and said he wants to focus on&nbsp;science.

"It`s really difficult to keep the emotion out of this and subjectivity, so we do have to really stick as closely as we can to the science — and that`s what we've always tried to do when it`s been uncomfortable," he said. 
"You can't be oblivious to public sentiment ... but science is important. If I wasn't satisfied with the science that we have and the experts that we have used and the in-house teams that have been working on this for a long time ... if I wasn't comfortable about that, this would be a very different landscape.&nbsp;

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the state of women`s sports is "very fragile" and sports federations need to get it right when writing rules for transgender female athletes.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the state of women`s sports is "very fragile" and sports federations need to get it right when writing rules for transgender female athletes. Coe`s comments come after University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I history by winning the women`s 500-yard freestyle in Atlanta last week. "The integrity of women`s sport — if we don`t get this right — and, actually, the future of women`s sport, is very fragile," Coe was quoted as saying in a British paper The Times on Monday. "These are sensitive issues, they are societal issues — they go way, way beyond sport. I don`t have the luxury to get into endless discussions or the school of moral philosophy." Thomas competed on the men`s team for three years before transitioning and moving to the women`s team and setting multiple program records. Last month, USA Swimming unveiled a new policy to allow transgender athletes to swim in elite events by setting out criteria that aim to mitigate any unfair advantages. The rules include testing to ensure testosterone is below a certain level - five nanomoles per liter continuously for at least 36 months - in transgender athletes who wish to compete against cisgender female swimmers. ALSO READ | Winter sports in India: Huge number of female participants from across country World Athletics requires transgender athletes to have low testosterone levels for at least 12 months before competition, a time period Coe thinks is too short. "We are asking for a greater length of (time) before competition because the residual impact of transitioning like that is more profound," Coe said. "There is no question that testosterone is the key determinant in performance." Transgender rights have long been a controversial and politically divisive issue in the United States from sports to serving in the military, and even what bathrooms people are allowed to use. Coe said he understands the sensitive nature of the issue and said he wants to focus on science. "It`s really difficult to keep the emotion out of this and subjectivity, so we do have to really stick as closely as we can to the science — and that`s what we've always tried to do when it`s been uncomfortable," he said. "You can't be oblivious to public sentiment ... but science is important. If I wasn't satisfied with the science that we have and the experts that we have used and the in-house teams that have been working on this for a long time ... if I wasn't comfortable about that, this would be a very different landscape.

State of women's sports is 'fragile': World Athletics president after Lia Thomas’ win at NCAA swimming finals

It has been almost three months since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. The group has promised to bring prosperity to the people, but women in the country are still worried about their rights. WION's Anas Mallick spoke to the Afghan National Olympic Committee spokesperson on the Taliban's policy of sports for women.

No hope for women athletes in Afghanistan?

Breastfeeding&nbsp;athletes&nbsp;will be allowed to&nbsp;bring&nbsp;children&nbsp;to the&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;Olympics "when necessary",&nbsp;organisers&nbsp;have announced, after criticism from mothers over tough rules on bringing the family to the Games.

The clarification was welcomed by some&nbsp;athletes&nbsp;as a relief, but US football star Alex Morgan slammed&nbsp;organisers&nbsp;for keeping her in the dark about the criteria.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-may-extend-coronavirus-curbs-into-olympics-period-media-394820">Tokyo may extend coronavirus curbs into Olympics period: Media</a>

Athletes' families are banned from attending the pandemic-postponed Games, under anti-virus rules that&nbsp;organisers&nbsp;say are needed to hold the event safely.

But Games chiefs have now made an exception for&nbsp;breastfeeding&nbsp;infants "after careful consideration of the unique situation", saying they will be allowed to accompany their mothers "when necessary".

Nursing&nbsp;children&nbsp;will not be allowed to stay at the Olympic Village though and must stay in private accommodation such as hotels.

Organisers&nbsp;said in a statement late on Wednesday that it was "inspiring that so many&nbsp;athletes&nbsp;with young&nbsp;children&nbsp;are able to continue competing at the highest levels".

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tokyo-olympics-2020-who-is-accountable-if-the-virus-spreads-394121/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The statement added that they were "committed to doing everything possible to enable them to perform at the&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;2020 Games".

US football star Alex Morgan, whose daughter Charlie turned one in May, said the policy did not go far enough.

"Still not sure what 'when necessary' even means," the twice women's World Cup winner and Olympic gold-medallist, tweeted late Wednesday.

"Is that determined by the mother or the IOC? We are Olympic mothers telling you, it is NECESSARY. I have not been contacted about being able to&nbsp;bring&nbsp;my daughter with me to Japan and we leave in 7 days."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Still not sure what "when necessary" even means. Is that determined by the mother or the IOC? We are Olympic mothers telling you, it is NECESSARY. I have not been contacted about being able to bring my daughter with me to Japan and we leave in 7 days. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tokyo2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tokyo2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USWNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USWNT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamUSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamUSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/cNGMt8w0Ss">https://t.co/cNGMt8w0Ss</a>
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexmorgan13/status/1410347760667201538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Athletes&nbsp;had complained about the rules on social media, with Canadian basketball player Kim Gaucher saying she was "being forced to decide between being a&nbsp;breastfeeding&nbsp;mum or an Olympic athlete" in an Instagram video.

But she said she was "so relieved" after hearing about the U-turn.

"Woke up to some big news this morning -- Sophie can come to&nbsp;Tokyo. So relieved that I don't have to make this decision," she said in an Instagram video.

American marathon runner Aliphine Tuliamuk had also voiced her concern about the proposed ban.

"Sometimes I think, what if something horrible happens and I never come back home, like what if I never make it back from&nbsp;Tokyo?" she wrote on Instagram.

"I am sure all moms understand this exact feeling."

Organisers&nbsp;said "suitable measures" would be applied to infants entering Japan for the Games.

Breastfeeding athletes will be allowed to bring children to the Tokyo Olympics "when necessary", organisers have announced, after criticism from mothers over tough rules on bringing the family to the Games.

Breastfeeding athletes will be allowed to bring children to the Tokyo Olympics "when necessary", organisers have announced, after criticism from mothers over tough rules on bringing the family to the Games. The clarification was welcomed by some athletes as a relief, but US football star Alex Morgan slammed organisers for keeping her in the dark about the criteria. Also read | Tokyo may extend coronavirus curbs into Olympics period: Media Athletes' families are banned from attending the pandemic-postponed Games, under anti-virus rules that organisers say are needed to hold the event safely. But Games chiefs have now made an exception for breastfeeding infants "after careful consideration of the unique situation", saying they will be allowed to accompany their mothers "when necessary". Nursing children will not be allowed to stay at the Olympic Village though and must stay in private accommodation such as hotels. Organisers said in a statement late on Wednesday that it was "inspiring that so many athletes with young children are able to continue competing at the highest levels". The statement added that they were "committed to doing everything possible to enable them to perform at the Tokyo 2020 Games". US football star Alex Morgan, whose daughter Charlie turned one in May, said the policy did not go far enough. "Still not sure what 'when necessary' even means," the twice women's World Cup winner and Olympic gold-medallist, tweeted late Wednesday. "Is that determined by the mother or the IOC? We are Olympic mothers telling you, it is NECESSARY. I have not been contacted about being able to bring my daughter with me to Japan and we leave in 7 days." Still not sure what "when necessary" even means. Is that determined by the mother or the IOC? We are Olympic mothers telling you, it is NECESSARY. I have not been contacted about being able to bring my daughter with me to Japan and we leave in 7 days. #Tokyo2020 #USWNT #TeamUSA https://t.co/cNGMt8w0Ss — Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) June 30, 2021 × Athletes had complained about the rules on social media, with Canadian basketball player Kim Gaucher saying she was "being forced to decide between being a breastfeeding mum or an Olympic athlete" in an Instagram video. But she said she was "so relieved" after hearing about the U-turn. "Woke up to some big news this morning -- Sophie can come to Tokyo. So relieved that I don't have to make this decision," she said in an Instagram video. American marathon runner Aliphine Tuliamuk had also voiced her concern about the proposed ban. "Sometimes I think, what if something horrible happens and I never come back home, like what if I never make it back from Tokyo?" she wrote on Instagram. "I am sure all moms understand this exact feeling." Organisers said "suitable measures" would be applied to infants entering Japan for the Games.

Breastfeeding athletes can bring children to Tokyo: Organisers

&quot;I am the first ever female AMA pro hill-climb racer. I&rsquo;m rather excited by all the attention I am getting because of this, but I&rsquo;m also a little disappointed that it has taken so long for women to step into this position&quot; -Cathy Templeton

In the Indian context, for ages, men have dominated sports. However, in recent times, we are witnessing some forms of women empowerment in sports.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/this%20this%20this-20170702083341.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
India have won their two opening games. Pakistan have lost theirs, so the pressure will be on them. In photo: Indian skipper Mithali Raj bats against England. (Zee News Network)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Sachin and Dravid might have inspired a thousand boys to pursue cricket but to encourage a single girl to play cricket, a Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami was needed.

I have seen many boys going crazy after the killer looks and fighting style of Vijender Singh but to incline a girl towards boxing, a Mary Kom was needed.

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/5-20160820112313.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
It is India&#39;s second medal in the 2016 Rio Games after wrestler Sakshi Malik bagged bronze in the women&#39;s 58 kg category. (Reuters)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

It was PV Sindhu who made the nation proud when she won a shining silver at the 2016 Summer Olympics and became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal motivating millions to be a shuttler.

There are &#39;few&#39; other women in Indian sports in the past who have put India on the world map of sports, like sprinter P.T Usha also known as the queen of Indian track, the freestyle Indian wrestlers, such as Sakshi Malik, Geeta Phogat, Babita Phogat, Aditi Ashok has been an Indian professional golfer, Karnam Malleswari represented India in weightlifting.

India has somewhat arrived when it comes to women in sports. They have fought various constraints, social factors and taboos to enter into sports.

It is only today with women like tennis star Sania Mirza, ace cricketer Mithali Raj and &#39;the golden girl of Indian badminton,&#39; Saina Nehwal coming into their own with an immense amount of media coverage that women have been accepted as major sports stars and role models in their own right.

Even Bollywood is playing an important role in showcasing the life and journey of some women personalities, like Priyanka Chopra playing Mary Kom, Shraddha Kapoor will play Saina Nehwal in the biopic of the young badminton player.

When we talk about the US, Russia or any other sports enthusiast countries, we can see the governing bodies have put in a lot of efforts to encourage new entrants in the field of sports irrespective of gender. If the candidate has potential then spots association and governing bodies will invest in her/him from the tender age of 5-6.

Norway, a country with a population of five million dominated the recently concluded Winter Olympic, has the philosophy &quot;sport for all&quot; that helped the youth to get involved in all type of sports and have a flourishing future.

Norway sports facilities have formed part of Norwegian public health policies to increase physical activity among children and teenagers. In recent years, large sums of public money were spent on promoting sports facilities. Also, Norway provides free health care, which helps to keep young athletic talent in a good shape.

Ragnhild Mowinckel, an Alpine skier of Norway said, &quot;The culture and the environment we grow up in, it&rsquo;s great for us.&quot;

Women are far more visible in sports today than at any previous point in history but India still lacks behind due to the dirty politics of association and the ugly side of some officials.

As a sports writer, I feel very positive when I see lots of women tournament happening around the world in various sports, the tournaments that have the potential to leave social and economic legacies.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A few cases still bother me, when a US gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was charged with sexual abuse of some elite gymnasts. He assaulted victims during treatment for injuries.

And also the gender-based discrimination, that is the reason when women athletes face a huge pay gap. For example, the recent payscale of BCCI, in which the wages parity is beyond comparison. Grade C men players to receive INR 1 cr each and grade C women players to receive INR 10 lacs each.

On the one hand, women face disparity in salaries, access to sponsorships but we must not forget that sports act can as a catalyst to amplify women&#39;s voices against gender barriers and discrimination but the dark side of sports events that cause violence against women and girls have to be removed to instill women empowerment in sports in real terms.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Women face disparity in salaries, access to sponsorships but we must not forget that sports act can as a catalyst to amplify women's voices against gender barriers and discrimination.

"I am the first ever female AMA pro hill-climb racer. I’m rather excited by all the attention I am getting because of this, but I’m also a little disappointed that it has taken so long for women to step into this position" -Cathy Templeton In the Indian context, for ages, men have dominated sports. However, in recent times, we are witnessing some forms of women empowerment in sports. India have won their two opening games. Pakistan have lost theirs, so the pressure will be on them. In photo: Indian skipper Mithali Raj bats against England. (Zee News Network) × Sachin and Dravid might have inspired a thousand boys to pursue cricket but to encourage a single girl to play cricket, a Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami was needed. I have seen many boys going crazy after the killer looks and fighting style of Vijender Singh but to incline a girl towards boxing, a Mary Kom was needed. It is India's second medal in the 2016 Rio Games after wrestler Sakshi Malik bagged bronze in the women's 58 kg category. (Reuters) × It was PV Sindhu who made the nation proud when she won a shining silver at the 2016 Summer Olympics and became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal motivating millions to be a shuttler. There are 'few' other women in Indian sports in the past who have put India on the world map of sports, like sprinter P.T Usha also known as the queen of Indian track, the freestyle Indian wrestlers, such as Sakshi Malik, Geeta Phogat, Babita Phogat, Aditi Ashok has been an Indian professional golfer, Karnam Malleswari represented India in weightlifting. India has somewhat arrived when it comes to women in sports. They have fought various constraints, social factors and taboos to enter into sports. It is only today with women like tennis star Sania Mirza, ace cricketer Mithali Raj and 'the golden girl of Indian badminton,' Saina Nehwal coming into their own with an immense amount of media coverage that women have been accepted as major sports stars and role models in their own right. Even Bollywood is playing an important role in showcasing the life and journey of some women personalities, like Priyanka Chopra playing Mary Kom, Shraddha Kapoor will play Saina Nehwal in the biopic of the young badminton player. When we talk about the US, Russia or any other sports enthusiast countries, we can see the governing bodies have put in a lot of efforts to encourage new entrants in the field of sports irrespective of gender. If the candidate has potential then spots association and governing bodies will invest in her/him from the tender age of 5-6. Norway, a country with a population of five million dominated the recently concluded Winter Olympic, has the philosophy "sport for all" that helped the youth to get involved in all type of sports and have a flourishing future. Norway sports facilities have formed part of Norwegian public health policies to increase physical activity among children and teenagers. In recent years, large sums of public money were spent on promoting sports facilities. Also, Norway provides free health care, which helps to keep young athletic talent in a good shape. Ragnhild Mowinckel, an Alpine skier of Norway said, "The culture and the environment we grow up in, it’s great for us." Women are far more visible in sports today than at any previous point in history but India still lacks behind due to the dirty politics of association and the ugly side of some officials. As a sports writer, I feel very positive when I see lots of women tournament happening around the world in various sports, the tournaments that have the potential to leave social and economic legacies. A few cases still bother me, when a US gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was charged with sexual abuse of some elite gymnasts. He assaulted victims during treatment for injuries. And also the gender-based discrimination, that is the reason when women athletes face a huge pay gap. For example, the recent payscale of BCCI, in which the wages parity is beyond comparison. Grade C men players to receive INR 1 cr each and grade C women players to receive INR 10 lacs each. On the one hand, women face disparity in salaries, access to sponsorships but we must not forget that sports act can as a catalyst to amplify women's voices against gender barriers and discrimination but the dark side of sports events that cause violence against women and girls have to be removed to instill women empowerment in sports in real terms. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: On International Women's Day, women sportsperson need to demand equal wage and respect as men

women-athletes

Women Athletes, News on Women Athletes, stories on Women Athletes, articles on Women Athletes, Women Athletes stories at Wion, Women Athletes news, Women Athletes latest news