Transgender athletes: Sharron Davies wants IOC clarity before Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Olympic chiefs should not use women’s sport as a “live experiment” on the issue of transgender athletes, ex-swimmer Sharron Davies has warned.

The British Olympic silver medallist has been vocal on the subject in the past and wants the International Olympic Committee to “show leadership”.

She spoke out as the IOC said it was assessing its guidelines in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

“If there is any doubt, delay inclusion,” Davies said.

Davies, who won silver at the Moscow Games in 1980, added: “Do not use women’s sport as a live experiment. That’s not right or fair.”

She believes people born biologically male who transition after puberty will retain a physical advantage over their competitors, and that their participation should be limited until the science is clear on the issue.

Trans athletes have argued they should not be blocked from participating in sport, and some have claimed the science around physical benefits is still unclear.

Davies, along with Dame Kelly Holmes, double gold medal winner at the 2004 Olympics, and marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe, with the support of 60 other top-class athletes, wrote to IOC president Thomas Bach in March this year urging him to further investigate this issue.