Transgender athletes banned from international women’s competitions

The International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics, WA) has banned transgender women from competing internationally in the women’s category. On this subject said in the organization’s official statement.

The association clarified that from March 31, 2023, no transgender athlete who has reached puberty as a man will be allowed to compete in women’s international competitions.

“We’re not saying no forever,” WA explained, adding that she plans to create a task force to “further explore transgender acceptability guidelines.”

The previous version of World Athletics rules required transgender women to maintain their blood testosterone levels at a minimum of 5 nmol/L for 12 months before competition.

The World Athletics Council also voted to reduce the amount of testosterone in the blood allowed for athletes with a difference in sex development (DSD), such as South African track and field athlete Caster Semenya, who had an excess of testosterone in a woman’s body in the absence of a uterus and ovaries (according to the Sydney Morning Herald, she has testicles).

Now, DSD athletes for admission to international competition must demonstrate testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/l for two years (half the previous standard).

“Decisions are always difficult when they involve conflicting needs and rights between different groups, but we remain of the view that we must keep female athletes fair before any other consideration,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. .

According to him, the association intends to further adapt the rules in accordance with the latest scientific data “on the physical abilities and advantages of men”, revising the criteria for admitting participants as new information becomes available.

At the same time, it was decided to create a working group which, over the next 12 months, will look into the issue of the inclusion of transgender people in the program of women’s international competitions. It will include an independent chair, three experts, two athletes, one transgender athlete, three representatives from World Athletics member federations and representatives from the World Athletics health and science department.

In January 2023, World Athletics said its “preferred option” was to continue to allow transgender women to compete in the women’s category, but to tighten the rules by limiting testosterone levels required for admission.