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≡ TRANSGENDER ELIGIBILITY ≡
“[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.”
That’s the basis for the 22-page World Triathlon Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes, posted Thursday by the World Triathlon federation.
In essence, the regulations create a four-year pathway for transgender women to compete at the elite level in the sport:
● The existing Age-Group Men’s category is renamed as the Age-Group Open category.
● Once an athlete has filed to re-classify from the men’s division to the women’s division, that athlete must meet the “[e]ligibility criteria of testosterone below 2.5nmol/L for 3 years while competing in the Open Category of TRI Age-Group races.”
● In year one, the athlete must monitor their own testosterone level, report it to World Triathlon and compete in at least two Age-Group Open events.
● In years two and three, 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 four, 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 racers. Testing and monitoring requirements remain in place and the athlete must compete in a minimum of three races during the year.
● Once completed, “full eligibility rights are bestowed.”
Women who wish to transition as transgender men to the men’s category are required to file a declaration of a change of gender identity and are allowed to compete immediately.
The regulations, in accordance with the International Olympic Committee’s “Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations,” make very clear that “[l]egal recognition of the athlete’s gender identity as the athlete’s sex” and/or “[s]urgical anatomical changes” are not required.
However, there is an “Expert Panel” involved, which is to ensure that the regulations have been followed, and “will assess cases referred to it by the Inclusion Officer to determine whether the Transgender Female Eligibility Conditions have been met (or, if not, then what else the athlete must do to satisfy those conditions).”
An “Expert Panel” is to be made up of “independent experts in the fields of medicine, law and human rights with appropriate knowledge and expertise.”
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Several International Federations have banned all transgender movement from male to female if the athlete has entered male puberty. World Triathlon has not adopted this requirement, but offers a long – four-year – path to the women’s Elite division for those who are willing to maintain testosterone levels close to normal female levels for that extended period.
The World Tri regulations are somewhat unique in that multiple citations and references to documentation and scientific studies in the transgender athlete field are included. This is a help to anyone trying to understand the background of the position the federation has taken, and should be included in any such regulations by all International Federations.
Even so, do not be surprised if these regulations are attacked in one or more court systems by activists who believe anyone should be able to compete anywhere at any time. At present, such appeals have seen little success.
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