Possible crackdown on trans athletes taking part in female sports

Government looking at crackdown on trans athletes taking part in female sports

• Senior sport figures will discuss the issue with Sport Secretary Michelle Donelan
• A source claims the sports ‘must be reserved for people born of the female sex’
• Critics of trans women taking part in female sport say physical changes from puberty make for an unfair advantage

A clampdown on transgender women taking part in elite and competitive sport in the interest of ‘fairness’ is reportedly being planned by the Government.

Senior figures from major national sporting bodies are understood to have been asked to meet Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Michelle Donelan to discuss the matter.

An insider said she will insist that elite women’s sport ‘must be reserved for people born of the female sex’.

Open categories for transgender athletes are expected to be offered as a solution to the issue, which has caused problems among sports organisations and frustration among competitors.

Senior figures from major national sporting bodies are understood to have been asked to meet Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Michelle Donelan about the clampdown on transgender women taking part in elite and competitive sport

A source close to Ms Donelan told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘She has the utmost compassion for people born into a body they don’t recognise and fully supports our long-established route for people to change their legal sex if they wish.

‘But, in a sporting context, this issue is underpinned by scientific evidence.’

Critics of trans women taking part in female sport say physical changes from puberty make for an unfair advantage.

Several sports stars have spoken out on the matter.

Double gold Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes tweeted in 2019 during the South African Athletics Championships: ‘Getting ready for biological women to boycott certain events.

‘Have a trans category if need be but even better a trans games. Otherwise I’m starting to worry about the backlash and abuse that the trans community will get from spectators.’

Double gold Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes said: ‘Have a trans category if need be but even better a trans games. Otherwise I’m starting to worry about the backlash and abuse that the trans community will get from spectators’

Sports trying to grapple with the complexity of the debate have reviewed participation policies.

Earlier this month, British Triathlon announced a ban on transgender women in female events even if they had not gone through male puberty.

Volleyball England has introduced a similar policy and the Rugby Football Union last year banned male-born athletes from competing in the women’s category, citing ‘fair competition and safety’.

World Athletics and Fifa are among international bodies that also have indicated changes to transgender policies.

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