World Athletics bans trans women and those with “differences of sexual development”

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The World Athletics Council voted Thursday to ban athletes who are transgender women “or who have Differences of Sexual Development” from competing in elite track and field competitions.

The big picture: The new rule follows similar bans on transgender athletes competing in elite women’s competitions, including swimming.

Of note: The decision could affect athletes including South African double Olympic 800 meters champion athlete Caster Semenya, who’s believed to have been born with an intersexed condition that causes her body to produce testosterone at a higher rate than is typical women.

Details: “Interim provisions will be introduced for those relevant athletes who are already competing in what were the unrestricted events” before the new restrictions take effect on March 31, per a World Athletics statement.

What they’re saying: “Decisions are always difficult when they involve conflicting needs and rights between different groups, but we continue to take the view that we must maintain fairness for female athletes above all other considerations,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said in a statement.