The African Intersex Movement (AIM) has expressed deep concern over a newly released athlete eligibility policy by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), warning that it could further marginalize intersex athletes, particularly those from Africa.
In a statement issued by its board, AIM said the policy introduces sex-based requirements for participation in women’s sports that risk excluding intersex athletes while infringing on their dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy. The organization emphasized that intersex people are a natural part of human diversity and should not be subjected to regulations that intensify scrutiny of their bodies.
“Athletes from Africa have historically been disproportionately affected by restrictive eligibility rules,” AIM noted. “This new IOC policy risks repeating that pattern, exposing African intersex athletes to exclusion, invasive testing, and harmful public scrutiny.”
The organization argued that such measures do not promote fairness in sport but instead reinforce stigma and discrimination. AIM highlighted that intersex athletes have long faced systemic challenges, both within competitive sports and in broader society, making inclusive and rights-based policies essential.
According to AIM, the policy could lead to increased medical interventions and gender verification processes that undermine athletes’ rights and well-being. The movement stressed that fairness in sport must not come at the expense of fundamental human rights.
AIM is now calling on the IOC and other international sporting bodies to meaningfully engage with intersex communities in shaping policies that affect them. It urged that any regulations governing athlete participation be grounded in scientific evidence, human rights principles, and respect for bodily autonomy.
“Intersex athletes deserve the same opportunity to compete with dignity, free from unnecessary medical or gender scrutiny,” the statement read.
The organization further underscored that sport should be a platform for inclusion and equality, not exclusion and stigma. As global debate around gender and eligibility in sports intensifies, AIM’s response adds to growing calls for more inclusive approaches that protect the rights of all athletes.
For media enquiries, AIM can be contacted at intersexafrica@gmail.com.
