Athletics bans transgender women at international events – 03/24/2023 – Sport

World Athletics, the organization that manages athletics worldwide, has banned transgender athletes from competing in the women’s category at international events.

The organization’s president, Sebastian Coe, said that no transgender athlete who has gone through male puberty will be able to compete in competitions that count for the women’s world ranking from March 31.

A working group will be created to conduct further research on transgender eligibility guidelines.

“We’re not saying ‘no’ forever,” he said.

Coe added that the decision was “guided by the principle of protecting the women’s category”.

The World Athletics board also voted to reduce the amount of testosterone in the blood allowed for athletes with differences in sex development (DSD), such as South African Caster Semenya.

DSD athletes will be required to reduce their blood testosterone level to less than 2.5 nanomoles per liter (the previous limit was 5) and must remain below this for two years to compete internationally in the women’s category in any event.

In previous regulations, DSD athletes were subject to restrictions only in events ranging from 400 meters to one mile.

Interim provisions will be introduced for DSD athletes already competing in previously unrestricted events, requiring them to keep their testosterone levels below 2.5 nanomoles per liter for a minimum of six months before being allowed to compete again.

This text was published on the BBC News Brasil website.