In a blow to LGBTQ+ equality, the British Triathlon has banned transgender athletes from competing in its women’s competitions.
On 6 July, the governing body announced that trans athletes would be blocked from racing in the female category at an elite and grassroots level.
“British Triathlon has reviewed its Transgender Policy… to ensure that it reflects the needs of our sport, protects fairness in competition and serves our desire to make triathlon truly inclusive,” the British Triathlon Federation said in a statement.
Under the new policy, trans athletes over the age of 12 will now have to compete in an “open category” that will include “all individuals including male, transgender and those non-binary who were male sex at birth.”
A separate female category is set to be created “for those who are the female sex at birth.”
In regards to international competitors, the rules will apply to any athlete looking to represent Great Britain, England, Scotland or Wales in the female category.
The organisation also revealed that the decision stemmed from a “period of independent consultation” conducted at the end of 2021 and earlier this year.
Towards the end of their statement, the British Triathlon said it “does not tolerate transphobic behaviour, harassment, bullying or hate speech of any kind.”
“Anyone commenting on our policy, should do so with empathy and consideration for all of those who have been involved and who may still have questions and concerns about how the policy impacts them,” they added.
In an interview with the BBC, British Triathlon chief executive Andy Salmon gave further insight into the new set of strict rules.
“Where there is competitive activity, fairness is paramount. Our sport is gender-affected,” he said.
“We believe this is the right policy for triathlon in Great Britain and the right time to publish it. We have taken legal advice and are confident it’s legally robust.”
The new regulations are expected to go into effect on 1 January 2023.
The British Triathlon’s aforementioned policy comes a few weeks after FINA announced a similar set of rules regarding transgender athletes.
On 19 June, the world’s swimming governing body announced that trans women who transition after the age of 12 are banned from competing in events.
Like the British Triathlon, FINA revealed that a “working group” is set to create an “open category” for trans athletes to compete in.
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