Triathlon has become the first British sport to ban all transgender women from competing in female events at an elite and grassroots level.
British Triathlon are instead changing their men’s category to ‘open’, which all trans athletes can enter – another first by a national governing body.
In January, the new policy will take effect. It replaces the 2018 guidelines that permitted trans women to compete with males even if their testosterone was suppressed.
Andy Salmon, British Triathlon’s chief executive, said that triathlon is gender-affected. He stated, “We conclude that triathlon has a gender effect sport. That means athletes born male have an edge over those born female, which is important in swim, bike, and run.” We also found that testosterone suppression can retain physiological benefits.
“The new policy will need two categories: a male category that will open athletes to female sex at the birth and a open category which will open all athletes including transgender and men.
British Triathlon banned transgender women competing in female events. Team France’s competitors at last month’s World Triathlon Series event, Leeds.
Both elite-level competitions as well as grassroots events will see the ban in effect from January.
“For international competition, athletes must be female sex-at-birth to qualify for Great Britain, England and Scotland in the female competition.
“We think this policy is right for British sport. We cherish our heritage and the key principle of gender equality. This is why we believe fairness in sport is essential.
“We’ve received strong legal advice, and we believe that our policy is sound legally.”
The new rules – which follow a survey of members earlier this year, including 16 trans athletes – will be enforced in any ‘competitive event’ at all levels, meaning races which have timings and results for athletes over the age of 12.
British Triathlon announced the news one week after Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary called for a Trans Summit. She urged all sport governing bodies not to allow trans athletes to compete against women.
This follows FINA’s global governing body for swimming’s ban on trans women competing in international races with females.
Salmon said, “This is an issue that many, if not all, governing bodies have been discussing” and are considering the best course of action.
It comes one week after Nadine Dories demanded that the ban be lifted
Over the past six months, controversy has surrounded transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. FINA recently banned transfemales from participating in international races.
“I believe the whole sporting system will concentrate on doing right just as we do.
The row over transgender athletes in sport has escalated in recent months following the cases of America’s Lia Thomas in swimming and Britain’s Emily Bridges in cycling – two of the three disciplines that make up triathlon.
Salmon said he was ‘not aware’ of any elite level transgender triathletes in Britain – but he added: ‘We didn’t want to be a governing body that waited for that to be a problem before we tried to fix it.
“We do not know the future, but we want to be prepared for it.”