World Athletics Council Votes to Ban Transgender Women from Competing in Women’s International Track and Field Competitions

The World Athletics Council has voted to ban transgender women from competing in women’s international track and field competitions, citing fairness as the primary reason for the decision. The new regulations, which will go into effect on March 31, will also impact athletes with differences in sex development (DSD).

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe announced Thursday that transgender athletes who have undergone male puberty will not be permitted to compete in female sporting events going forward. This decision is expected to have a significant impact on Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion at 800 meters, who has been barred from that event since 2019.

The new regulations are similar to those adopted by swimming last year, which also barred transgender athletes who have transitioned from male to female and have gone through male puberty from competing. According to Coe, up to 13 current high-level runners could be affected by the new rules.

The decision has sparked controversy, with some arguing that it is unfair to exclude transgender athletes from competing in women’s events. However, the World Athletics Council has maintained that fairness must come before inclusion.

The new regulations will go into effect on March 31, 2021. It remains to be seen how the decision will affect the athletes who are impacted by the new rules.