WNBA Legend Sue Bird Calls IOC's New Policy to Protect Women's Sports 'Fearmongering'

Bird agrees with Olympian Nikki Hiltz that the IOC is 'not solving a problem that exists'.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:33pm

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WNBA Hall of Famer Sue Bird dismissed the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) new policy that limits eligibility for female events to 'biological females.' Bird, who is openly gay, agreed with American Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender nonbinary, that the IOC policy is 'fearmongering' and not based on real issues in women's sports.

Why it matters

The IOC's new policy has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it unfairly targets transgender and intersex athletes. Bird's comments add to the growing backlash against the policy, which some see as a politically-motivated attempt to limit LGBTQ+ participation in women's sports.

The details

The IOC said the new policy is 'evidence-based' and 'expert-informed,' citing a presentation that claimed 50-60 athletes with 'male biological advantages' have been finalists in the female category at global championships since 2000. However, Bird and others argue the policy is not solving a real problem and is instead a form of 'fearmongering' to appeal to certain political constituencies.

  • The IOC announced the new policy in April 2026.

The players

Sue Bird

A Basketball Hall of Famer and WNBA legend who is openly gay.

Nikki Hiltz

An American Olympic runner who identifies as transgender nonbinary.

Megan Rapinoe

A professional soccer player who co-hosts the 'A Touch More' podcast with Sue Bird.

Dr. Stéphane Bermon

The head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department who led a presentation on the 'over-representation' of DSD athletes in women's sports.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

The international governing body of the Olympic movement, which has implemented the new policy limiting female event eligibility to 'biological females.'

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What they’re saying

“That kinda sums it up for me because what's being presented as this huge issue that we have to protect women. It's not. What it is is fearmongering, and you brought up the (Trump) administration, for them to get votes. That's all this is. It's all that it's ever been in my opinion.”

— Sue Bird, WNBA Legend

“I think the other part is a reminder. What we have always talked about and focused on is, if you open this door, if you crack this door open, it gets blown open and you're not policing women's bodies across the board. I feel very sad about this.”

— Sue Bird, WNBA Legend

“What we have always talked about and focused on is, if you open this door, if you crack this door open, it gets blown open and you're not policing women's bodies across the board.”

— Sue Bird, WNBA Legend

What’s next

The IOC's new policy is expected to face continued scrutiny and legal challenges from LGBTQ+ advocates and athletes.

The takeaway

The IOC's policy change has sparked a fierce debate over the inclusion of transgender and intersex athletes in women's sports. Critics argue the policy is not based on scientific evidence and is instead a form of political 'fearmongering' that unfairly targets LGBTQ+ athletes.