Supporters hail the IOC's new policy on gender testing as essential for protecting women's sport. Fiona McAnena of Sex Matters calls it 'extremely welcome,' emphasizing the need for a protected female category. However, critics like Dr. Payoshni Mitra of Humans of Sport describe the policy as 'a safeguarding disaster,' questioning its scientific basis and potential harm to athletes. Semenya, a double Olympic gold medalist, criticizes the policy for failing to listen to athletes' experiences. The debate centers on the policy's impact on inclusivity, fairness, and athlete welfare.
Critics point out that the policy fails to address past injustices, such as athletes being denied medals due to male competitors with differences of sexual development. Semenya, among others, argues the policy is driven by political pressure ahead of the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.