British Triathlon creates 'open' category for transgender athletes to compete after FINA swimming and diving ban
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Published 06/07/2022 at 12:10 GMT
The British Triathlon Federation has announced the formation of a new 'open' category for "all individuals including male, [male and female] transgender and those non-binary who were male sex at birth." The category will be created in January 2023 and comes in the wake of FINA's decision to stop transgender athletes from competing in women's elite swimming and diving events.
Triathletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Image credit: Getty Images
Triathlon has become the first sport in Britain to establish an 'open' category for transgender athletes to compete.
The British Triathlon Federation announced that the category, which will start from January 2023, will be for “all individuals including male, [male and female] transgender and those non-binary who were male sex at birth."
There will also be a female category "for those who are female sex at birth."
The categories will apply for athletes over the age of 12 in competitive races which have prizes, times, and/or rankings.
A statement from the British Triathlon Federation said: “We started this process at the end of 2021 and went through a period of independent consultation earlier this year to explore options for categorisation into triathlon competition in Great Britain.
“This ensured that along with the latest research, we heard from our community, key groups and individuals about their views and experiences.”
The decision comes shortly after swimming’s governing body FINA voted to stop transgender athletes from competing in women's elite events, unless they have completed their transition by the age of 12.
FINA also said they are considering proposals for an open competition category.
Olympic diving champion Tom Daley was critical of the decision by FINA.
"I was furious. Anyone that's told that they can't compete or can't do something they love just because of who they are, it's not on,” he told iNews.
"It's something I feel really strongly about. Giving trans people the chance to share their side."
Most Olympic sports use testosterone limits as a basis for inclusion.
World Athletics president Lord Coe has hinted that his organisation could follow FINA in banning transgender women.
"We see an international federation asserting its primacy in setting rules, regulations and policies that are in the best interest of its sport," Coe told BBC Sport.
"This is as it should be. We have always believed that biology trumps gender and we will continue to review our regulations in line with this. We will follow the science.
"We continue to study, research and contribute to the growing body of evidence that testosterone is a key determinant in performance, and have scheduled a discussion on our regulations with our council at the end of the year."
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