The issue of transgender athletes is still in the news. But it divides the Olympic movement. The British Triathlon Federation has announced that female competitors who have undergone gender reassignment will no longer be allowed to compete in British events from January 1, 2023. The women’s categories, from the first age groups (12 years) to the elite, will be reserved for athletes “of female gender at birth”. A new “open” category will include men, transgender and non-binary athletes. The triathlon federation becomes the first sports body in the United Kingdom to formally ban transgender athletes from its women’s competitions. Chief executive Andy Salmon said: “We understand that some people may disagree with this decision, but we believe it is the right thing to do”. Last month, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) also set a precedent by announcing the establishment of an “open category” for transgender athletes.
