Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

NEWSMAKERS

World Triathlon imposes new transgender rules, eligibility process requires mandatory participation in research

The World Triathlon revised its 2022 policy on transgender athletes, with the new regulations that take effect retroactively from January 1, 2025 stating that “athletes must be assigned female at birth not transitioning to male”, and that the policy change “retains the age-group female category for women assigned female at birth.”

Photo by Susan Flynn from Unsplash.com

The World Triathlon revised its 2022 policy on transgender athletes, with the new regulations that take effect retroactively from January 1, 2025 stating that “athletes must be assigned female at birth not transitioning to male”, and that the policy change “retains the age-group female category for women assigned female at birth.”

“(B)ecause of the significant advantages in size, strength and power enjoyed (on average) by Athletes Assigned Male at birth (AMAB) over Athletes Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB) from puberty onwards, due in large part to much higher levels of androgenic hormones and the impact that such advantages can have on sporting performance, it is necessary to have separate competition categories for males and females in order to preserve the safety, fairness and integrity of the sport, for the benefit of all of its participants and stakeholders,” the 22-page World Triathlon Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes stated.

As FYI: Even if one is assigned female at birth, one can still be dumped when one starts showing male characteristics (e.g. as the case may be in some intersex variations). Meaning, the policy is more anti-LGBTQIA than pro-woman.

In a gist, World Triathlon’s regulations create a four-year pathway for transgender triathletes to compete at the elite level in the sport:

  • The existing Age-Group Men’s category is renamed as Age-Group Open category. While transgender athletes (male, female, and non-binary) can compete in the new open category without any medical or legal eligibility criteria, only those assigned female at birth will be allowed to identify as “female”.
  • Any athlete who filed to re-classify from the men’s division to the women’s division must meet the eligibility criteria of testosterone below 2.5nmol/L for three years while competing in the Open Category of TRI Age-Group races.
  • Within year 1: The athlete must monitor their own testosterone level, report it to World Triathlon, and compete in at least two Age-Group Open events. The comprehensive medical history will be evaluated by an “expert panel” that will determine if the conditions have been met. This panel “may” inquire on “any reassignment surgeries the athlete has undertaken”, as well as “any other relevant treatment the athlete has received”.
  • In years 2 and 3: Testosterone levels must be measured by the athlete and the federation, and the athlete must compete in at least three Age-Group Open events each year.
  • In year 4: The athlete may compete at the Elite level in women’s races, but on a separate basis of “overall results” and will not be listed in the “women’s results.” World ranking points will only be assigned to women (i.e. those who were assigned female at birth) racers. All the testing and monitoring requirements remain in place, and the athlete must compete in a minimum of three races during the year.
  • Only when all these are completed will “full eligibility rights are bestowed.”
  • Transgender women are required to allow themselves to be studied by participating in “academic research” during the four-year “cap rule” period. Researchers will collect and analyze “physiological, mechanical, and performance bio-markers.”

The anti-transgender policy is one of the first to be released under the leadership of World Triathlon president Antonio Fernández Ariman.

In the past, transgender women were allowed to compete as women as long as they have testosterone serum concentrations of 2.5 nmol/L or less over 24 months. This was aligned with the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Like Us On Facebook

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Love Affairs

Being more honest in expressing a desired change predicted greater personal and relationship well-being for both partners, as well as greater partner motivation to...

Op-Ed

Edward Berger’s "Conclave" delves into the inner workings of the Catholic Church during the election of a new Pope. But by highlighting an intersex...

NEWSMAKERS

To generate broader support in advancing the positive impact of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to the economy, Intersex Philippines, Inc. (IXPI) is holding...

Travel

Donald Trump signed an executive order that eyes to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports.

Advertisement