World Athletics barred trans female athletes from competing in the women’s category. Read to understand the new move by the international governing body.
Understanding the ban on trans female athletes
Following in the footsteps of the international swimming federation (FINA), World Athletics (WA), the governing body for track and field internationally has barred trans female athletes from participating in the women’s category. Following a vote on Thursday, WA president Sebastian Coe announced the move. The ban means that transgender women who underwent male puberty cannot partake with other women after March 31. However, the World Athletics Council’s working group is conducting research “to further consider the issue of transgender inclusion.”
“We are not saying ‘no’ forever,” stated Coe, emphasizing the need for “fair and meaningful competition.” “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,” explained Coe. Debates on the matter emerged since Laurel Hubbard, a New Zealand weightlifter competed in the women’s 87 kg category at Tokyo Olympics. Moreover, Lia Thompson moved from the men’s to women’s category after undergoing hormone replacement therapy. She was smashing records in the Ivy League meets before FINA stepped in.
More on the reasoning
WA’s ‘Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes,’ focuses on the advantages provided by undergoing male puberty. “The substantial sex difference in sports performance that emerges from puberty onwards means that the only way to achieve the objectives set out. It is to maintain separate classifications (competition categories) for male and female athletes,” stated WA.
Initially, in January, World Athletics proposed a blanket ban. Trans female athletes had to reduce blood testosterone below 2.5nmol/L for two years to compete in the female category. However, this cuts down time by half and doubles the period before they can compete again. However, they were revised after consulting with the International Olympic Council, the Athletes Commission, Global Athletics Coaches Academy, “as well as representative transgender and human rights groups.” “It became apparent that there was little support within the sport for the option that was first presented to stakeholders,” stated WA.
