World Athletics has banned transgender women from competing in elite female competitions.

The governing body made this announcement on Thursday, March 23, said on Thursday, 24th March 2023.

It also announced tightened testosterone restrictions for other athletes.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said that the decision to exclude transgender women who had gone through male puberty was based “on the overarching need to protect the female category”.

The governing body had previously floated the option of transgender athletes being allowed to compete in the female category. if they, too, maintained testosterone levels below 2.5 nanomoles per litre for 24 months.

However, it became apparent there was little support within the sport for that proposal.

“We’re not saying no forever,” Coe told a news conference as announced the formation of a working group.

This will be chaired by a transgender athlete, to further study the issue of trans inclusion.