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Basketball Hall of Famer and WNBA legend Sue Bird dismissed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) claim that its policy change was to protect women’s sports.
Bird agreed with American Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as non-binary transgender, writing that the IOC was “not solving a problem that exists.” The former Seattle Storm star said the policy was simply “alarmist.”
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Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird pose for a photo during the WNBA All Star Skills Challenge 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 18, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Image Images)
“That kind of sums it up a little bit, because what’s presented as a big problem that we have protecting women. It’s not,” Bird said speaking to Megan Rapinoe on her “A Touch More” podcast. “What it is is fear-mongering, and you brought up the (Trump) administration to get votes. That’s all it is. In my opinion, that’s all it’s been.”
“I think the other part is a reminder. What we’ve always talked about and what we’ve focused on is, if you open this door, if you open this door, it bursts open and you’re not policing women’s bodies across the board. I feel very sad about this. So, going back to how we started, I just want to send a lot of love to the trans community.”
Earlier in the episode, Rapinoe criticized the IOC’s policy and denied that it was rooted in science.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry speaks to volunteers ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Daniele Mascolo/Pool photo via AP)
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The IOC said that “eligibility for any women’s category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a single SRY gene test.”
The organization added that the policy was “evidence-based” and “expert-informed.” The test can be performed using saliva, cheek swab or blood sample.
A presentation at a World Athletics panel in Tokyo in September revealed that between 50 and 60 athletes with male biological advantages have been finalists in the women’s category at world and continental championships since 2000.
Retired American soccer player Megan Rapinoe watches before a SheBelieves Cup match against Colombia at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 7, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
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The panel was led by World Athletics Department of Health and Science head Dr. Stéphane Bermon, who said sex testing was necessary due to an “overrepresentation” of athletes with DSD (differences in sexual development) among the finalists, according to multiple reports.
