Park Record | 2016-01-27 | Page 27

Wed/Thurs/Fri, January 27-29, 2016 B-7 The Park Record Guidelines relaxed for trans Olympians By STEPHEN WILSON Associated Press LONDON (AP) - Transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in the Olympics and other international events without undergoing sex reassignment surgery, according to new guidelines adopted by the IOC. International Olympic Committee medical officials told The Associated Press on Sunday they changed the policy to adapt to current scientific, social and legal attitudes on transgender issues. The guidelines are designed as recommendations - not rules or regulations - for international sports federations and other bodies to follow and should apply for this year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. "I don't think many federations have rules on defining eligibility of transgender individuals," IOC medical director Dr. Richard Budgett said in a telephone interview. "This should give them the confidence and stimulus to put these rules in place." Under the previous IOC guidelines, approved in 2003, athletes who transitioned from male to female or vice versa were required to have reassignment surgery followed by at least two years of hormone therapy in order to be eligible to compete. Now, surgery will no longer be required, with female-to-male transgender athletes eligible to take part in men's competitions "without restriction." Meanwhile, male-to-female transgender athletes will need to demonstrate that their testosterone level has been below a certain cutoff point for at least one year before their first competition. "It is necessary to ensure insofar as possible that trans athletes are not excluded from the opportunity to participate in sporting competition," the IOC said in a document posted on its website that outlines the guidelines. "The overriding sporting objective is and remains the guarantee of fair competition." "To require surgical anatomical changes as a precondition to participation is not necessary to preserve fair competition and may be inconsistent with developing legislation and notions of human rights," it added. The guidelines, first reported by Outsports.com, were approved after a meeting in November in Lausanne, Switzerland, of Olympic officials and medical experts. Budgett said there were no plans for the guidelines to be sent for approval by the IOC executive board. "This is a scientific consensus paper, not a rule or regulation," he said. "It is the advice of the medical and scientific commission and what we consider the best advice." Former IOC medical commission chairman Arne Ljungqvist, who was among the experts involved in drafting the new guidelines, said the consensus was driven by social and political changes. "It has become much more of a social issue than in the past," he told the AP. "We had to review and look into this from a new angle. We needed to adapt to the modern legislation around the world. We felt we cannot impose a surgery if that is no longer a legal requirement." "Those cases are very few, but we had to answer the question," he added. "It is an adaptation to a human rights issue. This is an important matter. It's a trend of being more flexible and more liberal." Under the new rules, a man transitioning to a woman must undergo hormone therapy and demonstrate that the total level of male testosterone in the athlete's blood has been below 10 nanomols per liter for at least a year prior to competing. The previous rule stated that, in addition to reassignment surgery, the athlete required a minimum of two years of hormone treatment. How long it will take the athlete to reach the new cutoff limit will depend on individual cases, Ljungqvist said. "If you change sex, you will have to have a hormone level below 10 for 12 months," he said. "That does not mean a 1-year guarantee. You don't go below 10 from day one. It takes quite some time. It can take more than one year or two years." The transgender issue gained extra prominence after former Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner announced last year that he had transitioned to a woman, Caitlyn Jenner. The IOC document also cited the case of hyperandrogenism, or presence of high levels of testosterone in female athletes. Indian sprinter Dutee Chand was suspended by the IAAF in 2014 due to hyperandrogenism and missed the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. But the Court of Arbitration for Sport suspended the rule last year, saying the IAAF had failed to prove that women with naturally high levels of testosterone had a competitive edge. Chand was cleared to compete, and the court gave the IAAF until July 2017 to present new scientific evidence. The IOC statement urged the IAAF and others to go back to CAS with arguments in favor of reinstating the rule. "To avoid discrimination, if not eligible for female competition, the athlete should be eligible to compete in male competition," the IOC said. The issue of gender verification gained global attention after South African runner Caster Semenya was ordered to undergo sex tests after winning the 800-meter world title in 2009. She was eventually cleared to compete by the IAAF and won silver in the 800 at the 2012 London Olympics. The IOC used to conduct gender verification tests at the Olympics, but those chromosomebased screenings were dropped before the 2000 Sydney Games because they were deemed unscientific and unethical. Desirable cabin in private, gateD pine Mountain - just 20 Miles east of park city! SOME OF THE PETS AT NUZZLES & CO. LOOKING FOR LOVE These animals can be seen at Nuzzles & Co. at The Tanger Outlet Center (behind Calvin Klein). Nuzzles & Co. is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m., Mondays noon to 5 p.m. for cat-only adoption day. For more information, call 435-649-5441 or go to www.petfinder.com. Petunia Mix Gemma Money Petunia is a gorgeous 4-year-old brown tabby domestic medium hair who enjoys relaxing. She is the kind of cat who may make you work for her affection at first, but she will be a loving friend and snuggle partner once she's bonded with you! Mix is an 8-month-old domestic shorthair. This happy boy is full of youthful energy. Unfortunately, Mix has contracted the feline leukemia virus, which means he will need to be the only cat. He loves playing, snuggling, and loving his family as much as ten cats would! Gemma thinks there is a home out there that would be purr-fect for her. She is a 1-year-old black domestic medium hair. She is a playful and outgoing cat who loves to wrestle with toys and run around just for the fun of it. Come meet this spunky girl today! Money is a 1-year-old domestic shorthair with a beautiful grey tabby coat. Money is the kind of cat that can make anyone love him... even those who say they're not cat people! He is a low-key and easygoing guy who is sure to be the star of his forever home. for ive 1/16 t n /3 Ce e in g by 1 C i r n P oSi Cl Enjoy four-wheeling, biking, snowmobiling, and fishing on the nearby Weber River. 4 bedrooms (dorm holds 6 beds) 2.5 baths 2,160 sq ft Owner-Agent www.tourfactory.com/1469838 $318,000 Call Jan Mower 435-313-2222 | www.SnowCanyonMarketing.com Thankful? Frustrated? Want to highlight an issue? Think you have the solution to a problem? The Park Record wants to hear from you Cole Henry Vinnie Chick Cole is an adorable 5-month-old Chihuahua mix. He loves being around people and other small dogs. Cole enjoys walks, car rides, toys and cuddling. He would do best in a moderately active household with no small kids. This little guy will make a wonderful companion! Henry is a handsome 8-year-old male English Setter. He recently lost his vision and is now blind. Henry enjoys going for walks. He knows his basic commands. With proper introduction, he could share a home with another non-dominant dog, but he does not like cats. Vinnie is a big, lovable 3-yearold Yellow Lab. He is a happy guy who enjoys being outside and playing ball. Vinnie loves to make his people happy. He is an all-around great dog who would be a wonderful addition to any loving home! Chick is 2-year-old red heeler mix. She is full of energy and would love to spend her days hiking and running with her family. Chick would do best in a home with dogs her same size that can keep up with her energy. She is a playful and outgoing girl! WANTED: VOLUNTEERS Send submissions to [e-mail] These not-for-profit organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to [e-mail]. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words. Girl Scouts Be the Girl Scout volunteer she'll always remember. As a volunteer with a Girl Scout troop, you'll introduce girls to new experiences that make every day feel like the best day ever. At every turn you'll be their cheerleader, guide and mentor, helping them develop the skills and confidence that will last long after the meetings are over. For more information, visit http://www.gsutah.org/en/volunteerrole-model.html or call Heather Smith at 801-716-5109. provide a nurturing, well-rounded, social environment for puppies 8 weeks old to 15 months. Guide Dogs for the Blind supports raisers and sitters with organized weekly training and socialization meetings. Basic equipment and complete veterinary care is provided for the puppies while with their raisers. Meetings are Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Park City/Heber areas. Contact Stefanie at 435-657-0760 for meeting location or questions; Facebook/SummitGuideDogs, or www.guidedogs.com. Guide Dogs for the Blind Guide Dogs for the Blind needs puppy raisers and sitters. Volunteers For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/volunteers It's never too late for a second opinion The financial advice you'll receive comes with: • Personalized financial strategies with a broad range of investment choices • A Financial Advisor who takes the time to listen and understand your individual needs • Support from a talented force of market analysts, investment planning specialists, and portfolio managers Call us today to start a conversation. Introducing... Committed To 435-645-7139 www.marketatparkcity.com Please look for our insert in today's paper! [phone] [e-mail] 1670 Bonanza Drive • Park Record Building Investment and Insurance Products: u NOT FDIC Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2011-2014 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 74020-v5 A1633 DEDICATED TO PARK CITY FO R 25 YEARS Ron Reilly Financial Advisor First Vice President - Investments 1400 Kearns Blvd., 2nd Floor Park City, UT 84060 Direct: [phone] [e-mail] wellsfargoadvisors.com 0815-07197