World Athletics bans transgender women from competing in female events
World Athletics #WorldAthletics
World Athletics announced a ban on transgender women, those who were born male, from competing in female sporting events if they have gone through puberty.
The organization’s leader, Lord Sebastian Coe, said the decision was reached after consultation with stakeholders, the International Olympic Committee, and representative transgender and human rights groups earlier this year.
The move is an effort to “protect the female category in our sport,” according to Coe.
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“The council has agreed to exclude male-to-female transgender athletes, who have been through male puberty, from female world ranking competitions from March 31,” Coe said. “The issue is thorny as sports try to strike a balance between inclusivity and making sure there is no unfair advantage.”
Coe admitted that no transgender athlete is currently in the international competition, which focuses on track and field-related sports, but said the day a transgender athlete attempts to compete could come.
Coe said that the ruling is not necessarily “forever” and that a “working group” will be established to further review the topic of transgender women in female sports for 12 months. The group will consist of up to three council members, an independent chair, two athletes from the Athletes’ Commission, a transgender athlete, three representatives of the Member Federations, and representatives of the World Athletics Health and Science Department.
“Until we understand a great deal more about the science around this, which we don’t, we have to fall back on a fundamental principle and that is that we are here charged with the responsibility of defending the female category, and that is what we have done,” Coe told Sky News.
World Athletics also issued new guidelines for athletes considered to be DSD, meaning differences in sex development.
“For DSD athletes, the new regulations will require any relevant athletes to reduce their testosterone levels below a limit of 2.5 nmol/L for a minimum of 24 months to compete internationally in the female category in any event,” the organization said.
“Interim provisions will be introduced for those relevant athletes who are already competing in what were the unrestricted events. These provisions include a requirement to suppress their testosterone levels below 2.5nmol/L for a minimum of six months, before they are eligible to compete again,” it added.
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The decision comes as lawmakers across the United States debate allowing transgender athletes to compete as their transitioned gender. The conversation has mostly centered on whether people born male can compete with biological women. Critics claim it would give transgender women an unfair advantage.
Wyoming is the latest state to ban transgender students from competing in sports based on their claimed gender identity. But multiple Republican-controlled states, including Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee, have enacted similar bans.
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Original Author: Misty Severi
Original Location: World Athletics bans transgender women from competing in female events