(London) Transgender women will no longer be able to participate in women’s triathlon events in Britain from next year, but will have to enter a new category with men called “open”, the British Federation announced on Wednesday .
Posted at 1:29 p.m.
The women’s categories, from the elite to the first age categories (12 years old), will only be open to athletes who are “female at birth”.
The “open” category will correspond to that of men, to which will be added transgender and non-binary triathletes.
The move makes the Triathlon Federation the first in the UK to close its women’s competitions to transgender women.
Last month, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) announced the establishment of an “open category” to allow transgender athletes to compete separately.
“It would be pretentious of us to say there isn’t a bit of trepidation, but we strongly believe in doing what’s right for our sport, and not necessarily what’s easy or popular.” , said Andy Salmon, chief executive of the British Triathlon Federation.
“We understand that some people may disagree with this decision, but we believe it is the right thing to do,” he continued, adding that this new rule, which will come into effect on 1er January 2023, was “legally sound”.