British Rowing BANS transgender women from female events after reversing its policy to follow athletics, swimming and cycling
- Under the policy, the men’s category will become ‘open’ for anyone to take part
- The women’s category will be restricted to only those who are born female
- British Rowing’s policy mirrors the sports of athletics, swimming and cycling
British Rowing have announced transgender women will be banned from competing in female races from next month.
Under the governing body’s new policy, the men’s category will become ‘open’, which anyone can take part in, while the women’s category will be restricted to those who are born female.
Up until now, British Rowing had allowed transgender women to participate in female events providing their testosterone levels were below five nanomoles per litre for two years.
But their new guidelines brings them into line with other British Olympic sports, including athletics, swimming and cycling.
British Rowing said in a statement: ‘British Rowing is committed to promoting an environment in which rowing is accessible and inclusive and to ensuring that we provide opportunities and enjoyment for everyone.
British Rowing will ban transgender athletes from competing in the women’s category from next month after the organisation dramatically abandoned its current policy (stock image)
‘In order to achieve this in a fair manner, we need to establish conditions for competition that guarantee fair and meaningful competition by placing necessary and proportionate restrictions on eligibility.
‘Our policy has been developed following extensive and ongoing research and consultation with stakeholders, the rowing community, academics, and other relevant organisations, and is based on the scientific evidence available at this time.’
British Rowing’s policy goes against that of the sport’s global governing body, World Rowing, who still let transgender women compete in female races if their testosterone levels are below 2.5nmol/L.
‘We have engaged with World Rowing, however, the British Rowing board decided to establish a policy that is right for rowing in Great Britain specifically,’ added British Rowing.
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