Triathlon: International federation includes trans women in women’s competitions

A small revolution in preparation in the triathlon world. And at least we can say that it will definitely get people talking. On Wednesday, August 3, the International Triathlon Federation announced that trans women will be allowed to participate in elite or amateur level women’s competitions. “Our priority is to ensure the principle of equality while demonstrating inclusiveness”, explains Marisol Casado, World Triathlon president and member of the International Olympic Committee. However, transgender participants will need to follow a number of rules. “To participate in elite or amateur level triathlons in the women’s category, a transgender athlete must demonstrate that his blood testosterone concentration has been below 2.5 nmol/l for at least 24 months”denotes the World Triathlon, inspired by an idea from the International Cycling Union, which implemented this criterion last June.

This is not the only restriction that transgender athletes must respect. In the effect, “At least 48 months must have passed since the last time a trans athlete participated in any sporting event as a male”says the International Triathlon Federation. This policy “Fully in line with the IOC’s recommendations and similar to what other international federations have done in recent months”, continues Marisol Casado. The debate over the participation of trans women in women’s competitions is regularly discussed in different sports. Earlier in the year, American trans swimmer Lia Thomas caused controversy by fairly easily winning the women’s 500-yard freestyle (around 457 m) final of the American varsity swimming championships in Atlanta. While some question that she might have an unfair physiological advantage, others believe she has the right to compete freely as a woman. The debate is likely to resurface in the news regularly, as in November 2021 the IOC left the choice to each sport to decide the question. “There is no scientific consensus on the role of testosterone in performance in sports”.

CL