Athletics authorities poised to decide on changes to trans participation rules
According to reports, World Athletics is expected to make a decision in March regarding possible alterations to the rules surrounding transgender participation. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Officials are scheduled to make a decision in March about the entry of transgender athletes into competitions.
The international governing body for track and field, World Athletics, is poised to announce changes that could tighten eligibility requirements for transgender athletes, while still providing a pathway for their participation, according to various reports.
The Telegraph, a UK newspaper, has indicated that a "preferred option" has been proposed, which would set a cap of 2.5 nanomoles per liter on plasma testosterone levels for transgender female competitors—half the current limit. However, the duration that an athlete must maintain this lower level would be extended to two years, doubling the existing requirement.
“Putting forward a preferred option is the best way to gather constructive feedback, but this does not mean this is the option that will be presented to [World Athletics] Council or indeed adopted,” the organization stated.
According to the Guardian, which reports having reviewed a consultation document, World Athletics acknowledges that athletes who transition from male to female “retain an advantage in muscle mass, volume and strength over cis women after 12 months [of hormone treatment]” and that “limited experimental data” indicates advantages persist even beyond that timeframe.
In July of last year, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe suggested a potential shift towards stricter regulations, expressing his frustration with ongoing discussions. He stated, “I’m really over having any more of these discussions with second-rate sociologists who sit there trying to tell me or the science community that there may be some issue.”
“Testosterone is the key determinant in performance,” Coe emphasized, reiterating his commitment to safeguarding “the integrity and future of women’s sport.”
Meanwhile, last year, the international swimming governing body World Aquatics implemented a ban on trans participation in women’s events for athletes who have undergone any part of male puberty, alongside plans to establish a new ‘open’ category. Similar stringent measures have been adopted by federations in sports like rugby.
While the International Olympic Committee has advocated for inclusivity, it is often perceived as delegating authority to individual sports federations to make determinations on this issue.
The topic of trans participation in women's sports continues to be a contentious debate, especially following instances like that of trans US college swimmer Lia Thomas, who set multiple records during her time competing for the University of Pennsylvania in 2021 and 2022.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
The international governing body for track and field, World Athletics, is poised to announce changes that could tighten eligibility requirements for transgender athletes, while still providing a pathway for their participation, according to various reports.
The Telegraph, a UK newspaper, has indicated that a "preferred option" has been proposed, which would set a cap of 2.5 nanomoles per liter on plasma testosterone levels for transgender female competitors—half the current limit. However, the duration that an athlete must maintain this lower level would be extended to two years, doubling the existing requirement.
“Putting forward a preferred option is the best way to gather constructive feedback, but this does not mean this is the option that will be presented to [World Athletics] Council or indeed adopted,” the organization stated.
According to the Guardian, which reports having reviewed a consultation document, World Athletics acknowledges that athletes who transition from male to female “retain an advantage in muscle mass, volume and strength over cis women after 12 months [of hormone treatment]” and that “limited experimental data” indicates advantages persist even beyond that timeframe.
In July of last year, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe suggested a potential shift towards stricter regulations, expressing his frustration with ongoing discussions. He stated, “I’m really over having any more of these discussions with second-rate sociologists who sit there trying to tell me or the science community that there may be some issue.”
“Testosterone is the key determinant in performance,” Coe emphasized, reiterating his commitment to safeguarding “the integrity and future of women’s sport.”
Meanwhile, last year, the international swimming governing body World Aquatics implemented a ban on trans participation in women’s events for athletes who have undergone any part of male puberty, alongside plans to establish a new ‘open’ category. Similar stringent measures have been adopted by federations in sports like rugby.
While the International Olympic Committee has advocated for inclusivity, it is often perceived as delegating authority to individual sports federations to make determinations on this issue.
The topic of trans participation in women's sports continues to be a contentious debate, especially following instances like that of trans US college swimmer Lia Thomas, who set multiple records during her time competing for the University of Pennsylvania in 2021 and 2022.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
