British Triathlon becomes first UK sport to create 'open' category for transgender athletes

The first British sport to create an open category for trans athletes is triathlon.

Those who are female sex at birth will not be allowed to compete in triathlon events for athletes over the age of 12.

There will be an "open" category for all individuals including male, male and female who were male sex at birth.

It applies to all events where there are prizes, times or rankings at stake.

Running, swimming, and cycling are some of the disciplines that make up triathlon in the UK.

Andy Salmon is the chief executive of British triathlon. The sport is affected by gender.

This is the right policy for triathlon in Great Britain and the right time to make it public. We are confident that it's legal.

A survey of more than 3000 members found 80% were in favor of the two categories.

Nadine Dorries told the heads of UK sporting bodies thatelite and competitive women's sport should be reserved for people born of the female sex.

Salmon's new policy was pre-dated Dorries' comments. Several British sports bodies are looking at their eligibility policies.

A few weeks ago, swimming's world governing body voted to stop trans athletes from competing in elite races if they have gone through any part of male puberty.

It wants to establish an 'open' category at the competition for swimmers with different gender identities. Sharron Davies, a former Great Britain swimmer, was in favor of the decision. Tom said he wasurious about the new policy.

Lord Coe said his sport would adopt a similar approach later this year.

The period of time before a rider transitions from male to female can be doubled by the UCI.

British Swimming and British Cycling have no plans to change their policies.

The British triathlon policy states that transphobia will not be accepted and that triathlon is for everyone.

We went through a period of independent consultation after we started this process at the end of 2021.

Athletes who are the male sex at birth have an advantage over athletes who are the female sex at birth. Each of the three disciplines has a long history with clear differentials between the performances of males and females.

It will take time to develop guidance for event organizers, clubs, officials and coaches before the policy comes into effect.

British triathlon doesn't tolerate transphobia, harassment, bully or hate speech. Anyone commenting on our policy should consider all of the people who have been involved and who may still have questions about how the policy affects them.

Rugby league's governing body banned trans women from women's internationals last month in order to balance the individual's right to participate against the perception of risk to other participants.