Sport-by-sport look at governing bodies’ stances on transgender issue

The decision by swimming’s world governing body FINA to ban transgender athletes from male and female competitions has put other sports’ policies in sharp perspective.

The International Olympic Committee has indicated it will allow each sport to set its own rules with regard to gender inclusion, and would not be drawn on the prospect of introducing a new “open” category at the Games.

Here, the PA news agency sums up the current stances of various international and national governing bodies.

The sport’s international governing body FINA has effectively barred transgender athletes from competing in women’s events by deeming them ineligible if they have been through male puberty. FINA has also vowed to form a working group with a view to establishing an “open” category for transgender athletes going forward. The move means Lia Thomas, who in March became the first transgender swimmer to win a major US national college title, is ineligible to compete in the women’s category with immediate effect.

FIFA says it is currently reviewing its gender eligibility regulations, and as such is not in a position to comment on proposed amendments to the existing regulations. The Football Association currently reviews each case on an individual basis, based on what it describes as “hormone-based requirements”. It says its policy with regard to the grass-roots game is being reviewed.

World Athletics president Lord Coe has given a strong indication that athletics is prepared to follow swimming’s example of barring transgender athletes from male and female competitions and instead directing them to a new ‘open’ category. The governing body is currently thrashing out a new policy but Coe said “fairness is non-negotiable”.

International rules,