Canadian sport organizations consistently work to adapt and improve their policies and practices. In recent years, an increasing number of national, provincial and local sport organizations have sought to understand and improve their policies and practices to reflect the changing demographics of their memberships.

Transgender Women Athletes and Elite Sport: A Scientific Review is an in-depth review of scientific literature on transgender athlete participation in competitive sport. The CCES commissioned this review of the scientific and grey literature regarding trans women athletes’ participation in elite and high-performance sport, with a focus on the state of literature about the science of testosterone and its impact on sport performance.

Gender Diversity

As an advocate for sport that is fair, safe, open, and inclusive, the CCES has developed the following resources to help the Canadian sport community creative inclusive environments for trans participants.

Policy and Practice Template for Sport Organizations (2018)

A policy and practice template to help sport organizations create their own trans inclusion documents for all involved in sport including athletes, staff and volunteers.

Guidance for Sport Organizations (2016)

A policy guidance document designed to help sport organizations develop their own trans inclusion policies for sport at recreational, developmental and high-performance levels. Includes policy guidance and best practices.

Sport in Transition: Making Sport in Canada More Responsible for Gender Inclusivity (2012)

This report concludes that, because variations in sex development exist, individuals should have the right to compete without question in the gender they feel they are or have always identified with, and emphasizes that this right to gender self-identification carries both the privilege of inclusion and the responsibility for fair play.

Athletes with Differences of Sexual Development

The CCES is also an advocate for the rights of athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD), speaking up against exclusionary rules at the international level and providing information to the public.

Webinar: The impacts of World Athletics’ regulations  

The CCES hosted a webinar on February 28, 2020 to discuss the impacts of World Athletics’ (formerly IAAF) regulations on female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) for women in athletics. The webinar also addressed the wider implications for women athletes in all sports. The expert panel included Jennifer Birch-Jones, 2SLGBTQI+ educator, Dr. Madeleine Pape, Australian Olympian and educator, Dr. Phathokuhle Zondi, South Africa Sports and Exercise Medicine physician, and Dasha Peregoudova, AthletesCAN president.

A note about Intersectionality

Through work with our valued partner Canadian Women & Sport, the CCES understands that not every woman or girl experiences sport in the same way. Even if they share the same gender, other aspects of identity also impact how people experience sport differently. To achieve true gender equity, we must address the needs of women and girls who are racialized, have a disability, are LGBTQI2S+, are from low socio-economic backgrounds, and other marginalized intersections. If every person who is involved or consulted in your gender equity journey has the same background or sport experience, chances are you’re missing out on the potential for even more meaningful change. Consider these factors as you reflect on the guidance in these resources. For more information about intersectionality, consult this Canadian Women & Sport infographic.

See Also...
Literature Review Does Not Support Bans on Transgender Women Athletes

Ottawa – November 3, 2022 – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) has released “Transgender Women Athletes and Elite Sport: A Scientific Review.” The CCES commissioned this review of the scientific and grey literature regarding trans women athletes’ participation in elite and high-performance sport, with a focus on the state of literature about the science of testosterone and its impact on sport performance.

Transgender Women Athletes and Elite Sport: A Scientific Review

CCES, CAAWS and AthletesCAN Very Concerned with the CAS Ruling on IAAF’s Eligibility Regulations for Female Classification

(Ottawa, Ontario – May 2, 2019) – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) and AthletesCAN are voicing their continued concern with the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) Eligibility Regulations for the Female Classification that pertains to female athletes with differences of sex development (DSD).