Bob Costas on Olympics Gender Policy
Bob Costas often shares his political views, typically from a liberal standpoint, but he surprised many on Thursday night by expressing what many might consider “common sense.”
In an interview with CNN’s Elex Michaelson, he discussed the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prohibit men from participating in women’s sports.
To Costas, the IOC’s choice made logical sense.
“Some people exploit this issue for political gain, demonizing transgender individuals who deserve respect and understanding,” Costas stated. “However, common sense isn’t transphobic. For instance, there’s a clear reason why high school champions don’t face off against college champions. Moreover, trans men who transitioned from female to male have not fared well against men in Olympic competitions.”
Costas referenced WNBA star Caitlin Clark to support his argument.
“If Caitlin Clark were to compete in the NBA, it would be celebrated as an extraordinary event. But if the last player on the NBA roster joined a WNBA team and started scoring 40 points per game, people would recognize that as absurd,” he explained.
He also mentioned former collegiate swimmer Leah Thomas, who transitioned from being an average male swimmer to setting records in women’s competitions.
“Men’s and women’s sports serve distinct purposes. Title IX was a groundbreaking law passed during Nixon’s administration that significantly changed the landscape of sports for women. I have a younger sister who never had the opportunity to play organized sports. Now, my daughter participates in as many organized sports as my son. It’s a remarkable change. It’s illogical for a swimmer who ranked 72nd among men to excel in women’s events shortly after transitioning. While that individual deserves dignity, it’s essential to apply common sense, which isn’t equivalent to transphobia,” Costas added.
It remains uncertain if Costas will assume any Olympic roles in 2028, but he is currently hosting Sunday Night Baseball for NBC.
