Rugby, swimming and athletics ban trans women from competing

The International Athletics Federation has agreed to ban the participation of transgender athletes in international competitions for women. “The board has decided to prioritize the fairness and integrity of women’s competition over inclusion,” explained Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics. However, he left up in the air the continuity of the measure in the future, after the matter is analyzed more deeply, leaving room for a possible revision.

What does the standard say?

The measure, which will take effect on March 31, will affect any athlete who has passed male puberty. The World Athletics Council, in addition to the ban on participation in international competitions, tightened the rule affecting competitors of different sexual development, increasing the amount of testosterone they can have in their blood from 5 to 2.5 nanomoles per liter for a minimum of 24 months. before the competition.

What changes does it bring?

This measure will not only limit the participation of transgender women, but also women of different sexual development, such as South African Caster Semenya, whose body produces a high level of testosterone that, according to studies provided by the federation itself, provides her with a significant advantage over women of normal development .

Does it affect all tests?

The previous regulation only applied to athletes who competed between 400 and 1000 meters. In those cases, he needed medication to lower his testosterone levels for at least 24 months. With the norm that will enter into force, athletes will be able to reduce this period to six months in case they participate in other modalities.

What other disciplines have similar measures?

In 2021, the International Olympic Committee decided that each federation would approve its own rules. Swimming and rugby were the first to take action and ban participation in women’s competitions. International Swimming Federation (FINA)

He went further and proposed a special category for them. In the case of soccer, FIFA has said it will review its rules, although they have yet to make a decision.

What was the first known case?

In 1977, the Supreme Court in New York ruled in favor of tennis player Renée Richards, who was banned from playing in the women’s category at the US Open. That year, he reached the doubles final of the Grand Slam with Betty Ann Stuart. Between 1953 and 1960, he played five editions of the men’s competition as Richard Raskind.

Which athletes will it affect?

Sprinter Christine Mboma, Olympic silver medalist in the 200 meters in Tokyo, or middle distance runner Francine Niyonsaba, runner-up in the 800 meters at the 2016 Games and fifth in the 10,000 meters in Tokyo, found themselves in a similar situation. by Caster Semeny.. Both managed to get around the previous regulations despite being hyperandrogynous, but now have to take testosterone-reducing drugs to continue competing at the professional level. For her part, the transsexual athlete Valentina Petrillo holds several records, the most recent of which is in the 200 meter event on the indoor track. With a time that the woman never achieved, she was condemned by several colleagues who pointed out her physical superiority.