The increasing number of transsexual athletes, so-called “trans athletes”, is raising concerns in the British Sports Confederation’s Equality Group. Now they want to create new gender classes in some sports to equalize differences in strength, endurance and physique – gender plays a role in sport.

Differences in strength, endurance and physique give unfair advantages in certain sports and this requires a new approach, says a report by the Equality Group of Britain’s official sporting federations. Sky News.

– In many sports, transgender inclusion, fairness and safety cannot coexist in one competition model, the council wrote in a report.

– This comprehensive review confirms what we already know, that gender plays a role in sport. That’s why we’ve always had women-only classes, and we still need them, says Dr. Nicola Williams, head of Fair Play For Women, in a statement. He welcomed the proposal.

Fair Play For Women has long fought for a fair system where transgender athletes are given the opportunity to compete, but at the same time guarantees the rights of girls and women. Williams believes the current system is outdated and something new is needed.

“This guidance ends the idea that it is possible to allow people born male into women’s sports classes, without women and girls having to suffer the consequences.”

Open class

The British Sports Confederation proposed “open classes” in addition to the women’s and men’s classes. With open classes, more choices will be given to participants, so they can compete on an equal basis.

However, the new classification will not apply at the elite level.

The council wants sports organizations to now develop new rules for the sports they represent.

Troubled

This proposal received criticism, among others, from transsexual circles.

– This proposal sends a signal to transsexual young people that their participation is problematic, says Natalie Washington, a transsexual footballer from Hampshire.

Joanna Harper, a former adviser to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on transgender inclusion, said it was doubtful that transgender people really had any advantages over other participants. He also believes that transsexuals do not increase the risk of harm to others.

Harper stated that transsexuals have been competing as women for more than 40 years, and said that they still had not taken over the women’s class, but remained positive about proposals for a new class.

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