British Triathlon announces “open category” after banning trans athletes from female competitions
In a blow to LGBTQ+ equality, the British Triathlon has banned transgender athletes from competing in its women’s competitions.
On 6 July, the governing body announced that trans athletes would be blocked from racing in the female category at an elite and grassroots level. “British Triathlon has reviewed its Transgender Policy… to ensure that it reflects the needs of our sport, protects fairness in competition and serves our desire to make triathlon truly inclusive,” the British Triathlon Federation said in a statement.
Under the new policy, trans athletes over the age of 12 will now have to compete in an “open category” that will include “all individuals including male, transgender and those non-binary who were male sex at birth.” A separate female category is set to be created “for those who are the female sex at birth.” In regards to international competitors, the rules will apply to any athlete looking to represent Great Britain, England, Scotland or Wales in the female category.
The organisation also revealed that the decision stemmed from a “period of independent consultation” conducted at the end of 2021 and earlier this year.
