Georges St-Pierre is one of the biggest names in UFC history. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @georgesstpierre
The discussion about transgender athletes in combat sports resurfaced after former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre defended the creation of specific categories for these athletes. In an interview with the channel 'Theo Von', the Canadian argued that the physiological differences between cisgender men and women would create a competitive imbalance and put the physical integrity of the fighters at risk.
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“I think it's disgusting when someone who was born a man changes their sex and then competes as a woman. I'm not afraid to stand up and say this because I love women and I think they need to be protected, especially in combat sports,” said St-Pierre.
Former UFC, GSP calls for 'separate divisions' for trans athletes
St-Pierre said the safety of female fighters must be prioritized and that the physical advantages inherent to men, such as greater bone density and muscle mass, can put women at risk of serious injury. The former champion suggested that the solution would be to create separate divisions where transgender athletes could compete against each other.
“They should have their own category – that would be fair,” he suggested.
The controversy gained even more strength with the case of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won the gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games. The athlete was the target of several accusations of being transgender, which sparked a huge discussion on social media.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) denied the allegations, stating that Khelif identifies as a woman and that there were no irregularities in her participation.
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