The NCAA has adopted a sport-by-sport approach for transgender athletes, bringing the organization in line with the U.S. and International Olympic Committees (IOC), POLITICO reported.
Under the new guidelines, approved by the NCAA Board of Governors on Jan. 19, transgender participation for each sport will be determined by the policy for the sport's national governing body, subject to review and recommendation by an NCAA committee to the Board of Governors.
When there is no national governing body, that sport's international federation policy would be in place. If there is no international federation policy, previously established IOC policy criteria would be cited.
NCAA rules on transgender athletes returned to the forefront when Penn swimmer Lia Thomas started smashing records this year. She was on the men's team her first three years, but she is competing for the women this season after transitioning.
Caitlyn Jennera transgender public figure and Republican who unsuccessfully ran for California governor last yearappeared on Fox News' America Reports, stressing her belief that she does not believe transgender athletes should compete in sports of the gender to which they have transitioned, the New York Post noted.