Triathlon Bans all transgender women from participating in elite and grassroots level female events

Triathlon has become the first British sport to ban all transgender women from participating in elite and grassroots level female events.

Elite and grassroots level competition from ages 12 and up will be split into a female category and an open category, which will welcome male, transgender and non-binary athletes.

The female category is only open to athletes who are assigned the female * at birth.

British Triathlon announced its new transgender inclusion policy on Wednesday after lengthy and independent consultations. It will be the first national governing body to include trans athletes in a competitive open category, rather than a separate category for men and women.

The decision comes after Fina, the world governing body of swimming, decided last month that any athlete who had undergone male puberty would be barred from its elite female events.

Andy Salmon, general manager of the British triathlon, said: “It would be conceited of us to say there is no trepidation, but we believe strongly and passionately in doing what is right for our sport, not necessarily what is easy, or even what is popular..

“We recognize that some people may not agree with this policy. I think we’re very clear on that and I, and the board, and the organization, respect everyone’s point of view on this issue. But we think it’s the right thing to do.

“We strongly believe that triathlon is a sport for everyone. Our sport was founded relatively late, in the 1970s, and with gender equality at its core.

“This is something we are incredibly proud of and something we value incredibly. And this is one of the reasons why fairness in our sport is so important to us.”

Salmon said the new policy was “legally robust” based on the advice the organization had received.

The review took place following the publication of guidelines on transgender inclusion in domestic sport by the Sports Councils’ Equality Group (SCEG) in September 2021.

Under the new UK Triathlon Policy, only athletes who are female* at birth are eligible to represent Great Britain, England, Scotland or Wales in international events in the female category run under the auspices of the World and European Triathlon.