Olympics boss admits guidelines on transgender athletes need change... as controversial weightlifter breaks silence to thank him

The IOC's medical top dog has admitted that science has moved on but claimed that the threat to women's sport posed by transgender athletes has been "overstated", speaking before a controversial weightlifter features at the Games.

Dr Richard Budgett, the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) medical and science director, has overseen rules based on guidelines from 2015 that have allowed transitioned athletes to compete when their testosterone is below a specified level for 12 months.

Hubbard, the heavily-scrutinized New Zealander who is competing in the women's competition at super-heavyweight, takes medication to lower her testosterone below the set level.

There has been considerable recent debate over whether those guidelines are backed by science, and Budgett now appears to have acknowledged arguments that they should be revised, saying he "absolutely accepts" that "things move on."

“At the time, the 10 nanomoles per liter was set because we thought that was the lower level for men," said Budgett. "We know now that they go down to seven and women can be higher as well.

"Agreeing on another number is almost impossible and possibly irrelevant. You can debate that endlessly.”

Budgett nodded to issues around fairness that have been routinely raised, most notably during attempts to introduce legislation in US states preventing transgender athletes from competing with sportspeople born as women.

“There is some research but it depends on whether you are coming from the view of inclusion as the first priority or absolute fairness to the nth degree being the priority,” suggested Budgett.

“If you don’t want to take any risks at all that anyone might have an advantage, then you just stop everybody. If you are prepared to extrapolate from the evidence there is, and consider the fact the have been no openly transgender women at the top level until now, I think the threat to women’s sport has probably been overstated.

“We have spent 100 years promoting women’s sport. I think it is up to the whole international sports movement and, particularly, the international federations to make sure they do protect women’s sport.

“The other important thing to remember is that trans women are women. You have got to include all women if you possibly can.”

Olympic hopeful Hubbard, whose history-making campaign begins on Monday, has received a mixed response to her career path and participation.

The athlete has earned high-profile backing from figures including New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, while others – including medical experts and insiders at sporting institutions – have criticized her involvement in the spectacle.

"I see the Olympic Games as a global celebration of our hopes, ideals and values," Hubbard said in a statement read out at an IOC briefing on inclusion.

"I would like to thank the IOC for its commitment to making sport inclusive and accessible."

The 43-year-old competed as a man before transitioning in 2013, and has qualified for the Olympics under rules set by the International Weightlifting Federation.

The requirements could change as part of a new review of scientific data led by the IOC, with new guidance potentially being released within two months.

"Science will help, experience will help and time will help," said Budgett, who appeared to back World Rugby's decision to ban trans athletes at elite level because of concerns over safety.

“It may be the right thing to do in many sports, because it is at the most elite level in their case that they are concerned about safety.

"As you come down from that level, you can start to prioritize inclusion more than safety. You can understand it. I think there is a legal element to this as well – they have really prioritized safety.”