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‘Fairness And Integrity’: Biological Males Barred From Competing As Women In World Athletics

(Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Sarah Wilder Social Issues Reporter
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World Athletics voted Thursday afternoon to ban biological males from competing as women in athletic competitions, according to a press release.

The vote excludes athletes that are biologically male who have transitioned to female but have been through male puberty as of March 31, 2023. (RELATED: School That Refused To Compete Against Transgender Player Banned From Future Sporting Events)

“It became apparent that there was little support within the sport for the option that was first presented to stakeholders, which required transgender athletes to maintain their testosterone levels below 2.5nmol/L for 24 months to be eligible to compete internationally in the female category,” the press release stated.

“However, there are currently no transgender athletes competing internationally in athletics and consequently no athletics-specific evidence of the impact these athletes would have on the fairness of female competition in athletics,” the press release continued. “In these circumstances, the Council decided to prioritise fairness and the integrity of the female competition before inclusion.”

The Council also voted on new requirements for intersex athletes. Previous regulations stipulated that intersex athletes had to reduce testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L in events that were 400 meters to a mile.

The new guidance requires testosterone levels for intersex athletes below 2.5 nmol/L for 24 months for athletes to be eligible to compete in any female category. Athletes that are already competing under the previous guidance will be required to suppress their testosterone levels below 2.5nmol/L for at least six months.

Several biologically male athletes have made headlines for sweeping female athletic competitions in recent years. Lia Thomas notably began competing as a woman after competing for the University of Pennsylvania men’s swim team for three years. Thomas ranked 462nd on the male team, but made multiple records while competing as a woman.