UK sport councils reveal new guidance for transgender participation
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy New guidelines have been released by the United Kingdom’s sport councils on transgender participation. The combined report from UK Sport, Sport England, Sport Wales, SportScotland and Sport Northern Ireland argues that transgender women retain stamina and strength advantages even after reducing their testosterone levels. Most sports have adopted the International Olympic Committee guidelines laid out in 2015 that permit trans women to compete in female sport if they suppress their testosterone levels below 10nmol per litre. Calling for a “reset”, it stated: “No one was able to offer a single solution which would resolve all the identified issues, or that would satisfy all stakeholders, “As a result of what the review found, the guidance concludes that the inclusion of transgender people into female sport cannot be balanced regarding transgender inclusion, fairness and safety in gender-affected sport where there is meaningful competition.” The report suggests sports can consider three paths: prioritising inclusion of transgender individuals; creating open and “female-only” categories; or establishing new formats by adapting rules to include non-contact versions of team sports to enable everyone to play.