Controversy in the triathlon world with transgender athletes. A few weeks ago, the federation great Britain announced publicly that they would ban all men who have transitioned into women after puberty from competing in women’s events. this wednesday, World Triathlon agreed to a new policy whereby the sports sector will be able to continue to participate in these competitions as long as they meet certain requirements.

After swimming and rugby became veto power to protect women, triathlon was the other way around. Of course, trans women will face even greater restrictions before gaining approval to compete internationally. They had to reduce their testosterone levels for two years instead of one, as the regulations hitherto dictated. Moreover, they would have to wait at least four years after the transition if they had previously competed as men.

The World Triathlon argues that its policies aim to balance inclusion with fairness. However, controversy is presented with groups defending women’s sports only for women because of the significant advantages they understand that transgender women have, in the case of triathlons, in speed, strength, lung capacity and resistance despite reducing their levels. Testosterone for the simple fact has grown as men.

Specifically, to compete in the “women’s category of elite triathlon competition or age group, a transgender athlete must demonstrate that the athlete’s testosterone concentration has been below 2.5 nmol/L continuously for a period of at least 24 months,” explains the new. guidelines. This is the amount that is usually set by exercise following the latest recommendations from doctors and specialists.

Although the majority was sufficient, the approval of this policy was denied by the vice president, Ian Howardand chair of the athletes committee, Tamas Thoth. Married Marisolpresident of the World Triathlon and member of IOChighlighting after undertaking a new way of understanding the presence of transgender in their sport that they are “a small international federation, but always have gender inclusion and balance in our DNA”.

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This controversy started from where International Olympic Committee leave the decision on the entry of waria in male and female sports competitions in the hands of each sport. The Olympics’ supreme body argues that “scientific consensus on the role of testosterone in performance in all sports” is lacking. However, the criticism goes beyond that factor.

It is important to see how the UK is dealing with these challenges. Among the plans is to create a new “open category” to integrate transgender triathletes who do not fit the established criteria.

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