"War on women" - Martina Navratilova laments IOC's new transgender-inclusionary language guidelines ahead of Paris Olympics
Martina Navratilova expressed her disapppointment at the International Olympic Committe's revised portrayal guidelines ahead of the upcoming Olympics in Paris. The former World No. 1 pointed out at phrases that were considered "Problematic Language" and needed to be avoided.
With less than two months left before the commencement of the Paris Olympics, the IOC released an updated set of portrayal guidelines that pointed towards gender equality.
The guidelines included several terms with regard to transgender people that shoud be avoided, like "born male", "biologically male", "born female", to name a few.
"Use of phrases like those above can be dehumanising and inaccurate when used to describe transgender sportspeople and athletes with sex variations. A person’s sex category is not assigned based on genetics alone and aspects of a person’s biology can be altered when they pursue gender-affirming medical care," a portion of the IOC guidelines read.
Martina Navratilova, who has always voiced her opinion against transgender athletes competing in women's sports, expressed her annoyance at IOC's new portrayal guidelines. The 67-year-old called the situation a "war on women" and said that the Olympic body is "captured."
"IOC has been captured. This is 1984 version of war on women. Total erasure," Martina Navratilova wrote on X.
Further speaking about the guidelines, Navratilova said:
"The language capture is how this all started. Half the population thinks transwomen are actual women, not males who identify as women."
Martina Navratilova on IOC reportedly funding transgender athletes research in comparison to female athletes
Reports arose not long back that the International Olympic Committee gave financial aid to a study that showed that transgender athletes had a disadvantage compared to female athletes.
Navratilova reacted to the report by expressing her desire to have a word with the people in the IOC.
"I would really love to speak to these people in charge at the IOC," Martina Navratilova tweeted.
The Czech-American had a glittering tennis career, winning 18 Grand Slam singles titles. She won every Grand Slam at least twice and holds the record for the most singles titles in Wimbledon history (nine).
Navratilova also excelled on the doubles circuit, winning 31 Grand Slams in women's doubles and 10 in mixed doubles. No player, male or female, has won more singles titles in the Open Era than her (167).