Regardless of their testosterone levels, transgender women will no longer be permitted to compete in female track and field competitions, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe announced on Thursday.
No transgender athlete who had gone through male puberty will be allowed to compete in female global ranking competitions starting on March 31, according to Coe.
Coe stated that World Athletics had conferred with stakeholders over the subject of transgender athletes, including 40 national federations, the International Olympic Committee, and trans groups, after a meeting of the global track and field federation’s governing body.
According to him, “The majority of those consulted stated that transgender athletes should not be competing in the female category.”
“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.
“We’re not saying ‘no’ forever,” Coe furthered.
“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.
“We will be guided in this by the science around physical performance and male advantage which will inevitably develop over the coming years. As more evidence becomes available, we will review our position, but we believe the integrity of the female category in athletics is paramount.”
