World Athletics excludes trans women from women’s events | World News

The body’s chairman, Lord Coe, said “decisive action” had been taken to “protect the category of women in our sport”.

World Athletics has decided to exclude transgender women who have gone through male puberty from women’s events.

The body’s chairman, Lord Coe, said “decisive action” had been taken to “protect the category of women in our sport”.

Lord Coy told a news conference in Monaco: “The committee has agreed to exclude male-to-female transgender athletes who have reached male puberty from women’s world ranking competitions from 31 March.

“In January, IAAF said it was in consultation with member federations on a proposal to change the rules for transgender women competing in women’s competitions.

“It’s a tricky issue because sport tries to strike a balance between being inclusive and making sure there’s no unfair advantage.”

Lord Coe added that a working group would be set up to look further into eligibility guidelines for transgender people.

Its mandate is to “consult exclusively transgender athletes to solicit their views on athletics competition”.

Lord Coe said following consultations with many stakeholders including the 40 member federations, athletes and coaches, and community groups including trans organisations, UN experts, the International Olympic Committee and Para Athletics , made the decision to exclude transgender women.

“Most of those consulted said trans athletes should not be competing in the women’s category,” he said.

“Many feel that there is not enough evidence that trans women do not have an advantage over being biologically female, and would like more evidence that any physical advantage is improved before they are willing to consider them included in the female category.”

The announcement comes after Great Britain Athletics called Trans women compete with men in ‘open group’ In February.

The governing body said the “open” category would replace the current men’s category – as it called for changes to the law to reserve women’s activities for those born female.

World swimming governing body FINA votes to decide Transgender athletes effectively banned from women’s elite competition And in June last year, the establishment of an “open” category was explored.