World Athletics bans trans athletes from elite female track and field events, says decision in ‘best interest of sport’
- Governing body’s president Sebastian Coe says not closing door forever on transgender athletes being included
- Rule comes into force from March 31 and applies to all world-ranking competitions
World Athletics has said transgender athletes will no longer be allowed to compete in elite female track and field events regardless of their levels of testosterone.
The governing body’s president, Sebastian Coe, cited fairness over inclusion as a reason for the decision, which means no transgender athlete who has gone through male puberty can compete in female world-ranking competitions from March 31.
Speaking after a meeting of the global track and field federation’s decision-making body, Coe said World Athletics had consulted with stakeholders including 40 national federations, the International Olympic Committee and trans groups about the issue of transgender athletes.
“The majority of those consulted stated that transgender athletes should not be competing in the female category,” he said.
“Many believe there is insufficient evidence that trans women do not retain advantage over biological women and want more evidence that any physical advantages have been ameliorated before they are willing to consider an option for inclusion into the female category.
“The judgement we took... was, I believe, in the best interests of our sport.
