World Athletics, the global governing body for track and field, announced on Thursday new rules affecting participation in women’s events at international meets. Led by President Sebastian Coe, the federation confirmed that transgender women who have completed male puberty will no longer compete in women’s world ranking events beginning March 31 of the current year. The changes will apply to major championships such as the Budapest World Cup events and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The policy also targets athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) who have naturally higher testosterone levels, including notable competitors such as two-time Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya and 2020 Olympic silver medalist in the 200m, Christine Mboma, as well as Francine Niyonsaba who secured a runner-up finish in the 800m at the 2016 Summer Games.
In announcing the move, Coe stated that the World Athletics Council is taking decisive steps to safeguard the integrity of the women’s category in the sport, explaining that participation by trans athletes will be restricted in these events.
The directive, which took effect on March 31, outlines eligibility for elite transgender athletes who transition from male to female after puberty. It also lowers the maximum permissible testosterone level in plasma for athletes with DSD from five to 2.5 nanomoles per liter.
Coe added that a working group would be formed to further examine eligibility guidelines for transgender athletes. He emphasized that the door is not closed forever, noting that the council’s decision was guided by a general principle to protect the female category while allowing ongoing study and discussion.
I ban Russian athletes
In a separate note, the body stated that Russia and Belarus will continue to be excluded from international competition for the foreseeable future due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The decision aligns with broader actions taken by members of the Olympic movement in response to the conflict. The International Olympic Committee is exploring pathways that could allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate without compromising the integrity of major events, including the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.