POLE PEDAL PADDLE (PPP) GENDER ELIGIBILITY & COMPETITION CATEGORIES POLICY 

Purpose

Pole Pedal Paddle (PPP), operated by the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF), exists to celebrate athletic achievement, community, and lifelong participation in sport. This policy establishes clear and respectful guidelines for gender eligibility and competition categories that:

  • Promote fair and meaningful competition
  • Support broad participation and inclusion
  • Protect the integrity of elite prize-based racing
  • Respect the dignity and privacy of all athletes
  • Align with international best practices, including guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Guiding Framework

PPP’s approach is informed by the International Olympic Committee’s evolving gender eligibility framework, which emphasizes:

  • Fairness and safety in competition
  • Sport-specific eligibility criteria
  • Clarity and consistency
  • Respect for athlete dignity
  • Avoidance of unnecessary medical intrusion
  • Recognition that different levels of sport may require different approaches

While PPP is not an Olympic-sanctioned event, the IOC framework serves as a global reference point for balancing fairness and inclusion in competitive sport.

MBSEF Values Alignment

This policy reflects MBSEF’s core values of:

  • Commitment– to athletes, families, and community
  • Honesty– through clear, transparent rules
  • Accountability– by setting consistent standards for elite competition
  • Sportsmanship– by fostering respect and integrity
  • Excellence– by preserving meaningful competition at all levels

Competition Categories

PPP offers multiple race categories reflecting different goals, motivations, and competitive contexts.

  • Elite Categories (Prize Money Eligible)

Elite categories are competitive divisions where rankings, awards, and prize money are awarded. To preserve competitive fairness and align with international sport norms, the following structure applies:

  • Women’s Elite Category

Open to athletes whose sex assigned at birth is female

  • Men’s Elite Category

Open to athletes whose sex assigned at birth is male

Eligibility for Elite categories is based on sex assigned at birth, consistent with the IOC’s direction for high-performance and prize-based competition.

  • Non-Elite Categories (No Prize Money)

Non-elite categories emphasize participation, community, and personal achievement. These categories are designed to be inclusive and flexible, recognizing the diverse ways athletes engage with sport.

  • Athletes may register based on self-identified gender
  • No documentation or verification is required
  • Athletes may select the category that best aligns with their identity and competitive goals
  • Youth Participants

For all athletes under the age of 18:

  • Gender designation at registration is based on self-identification
  • No documentation or verification is required

Privacy and Respect

  • MBSEF will not request or retain medical records related to gender identity
  • Athlete information will be handled confidentially and respectfully
  • Harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate questioning of any athlete’s gender identity or eligibility will not be tolerated
  • Violations may result in removal from the event or future participation restrictions.

Review and Future Updates

The IOC has indicated that it will finalize a new, formal gender eligibility framework ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. MBSEF will:

  • Monitor IOC guidance and international best practices
  • Revisit this policy as needed
  • Engage MBSEF leadership and the Board in any future changes

This policy is intended to provide clarity and stability while remaining adaptable as the global sport landscape continues to evolve.

Adoption

Effective: January 13, 2026
Approved by: MBSEF Executive Board