Transgender women will no longer be able to compete in women’s triathlon in the UK as they will have to do so with men from next year in a new category called ‘open’, the federation announced this Wednesday.
“Only born females” will be able to compete in women’s categories, from the elite to the bottom, at the age of 12, the organization said.
Thus, the “open” category will unite transgender and non-binary men and triathletes, that is, with a gender identity that is not strictly male or female.
“It would be pretentious on our part to say that there are quite a few concerns, but we strongly believe that we are doing what is right and best for our sport, and not necessarily what is easy or popular.” – Andy Salmon.
The leader admitted that “some people will not agree with the decision,” but guaranteed that the measure, which will come into force on January 1, 2023, is “legally justified.”
It was also decided that only athletes born female would be able to represent the UK at international level.
Triathlon has become the first sport in the UK to exclude transgender women from women’s competition.
Together, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) established an “open category” for the first time internationally.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
