World Athletics has voted to ban transgender women from elite female competitions if they have undergone male puberty. The ban will come into effect on 31 March. The World Athletics president, Seb Coe, stated that the decision was based on the principle of fairness, as well as science around physical performance and male advantage. The decision will also apply to athletes with differences in sex development. All athletes with a difference in sex development will be barred from competing internationally in all events unless they reduce their testosterone to 2.5 nanomoles per litre for a minimum of six months. Athletes with a DSD would now have to lower their testosterone for at least six months, which means they will miss this summer’s World Championships in Budapest. This decision is likely to be opposed by LGBTQ+ groups such as Stonewall, but it was welcomed by the campaign group Fair Play For Women. Swimming, rugby and rugby league have all previously banned transgender women from female sport. The move by World Athletics follows increasing controversy over transgender participation in sports, notably when New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 having transitioned in her 30s.
