UK Athletics will BAN transgender women from competing in the female category from Saturday – following World Athletics’ regulations in all competitions – while Sharron Davies urges other British sports to join them
- UK Athletics will ban transgender women from competing in females categories
- It comes after World Athletics’ announcement last week enforcing the change
- Sharron Davies has continued to speak out for fairness within women’s sport
UK Athletics have followed World Athletics in banning transgender women from competing in the female category.
The national governing body revealed last month they wanted to make the change but had been advised it was not legal.
However, UKA announced on Friday they had now received the ‘required assurances’ that the sporting exemption in the Equality Act 2010 applies to the Gender Recognition Act 2004.
In a statement, the organisation said they will apply the new World Athletics transgender regulations to all competitions in the UK from Saturday.
They will also give consideration to ‘changing the current male category to an open category’ when they develop their new transgender eligibility policy.
Transgender women will be banned by UK Athletics from competing in the female category
UK Athletics – led by CEO Jack Buckner – will follow World Athletics’ regulations from Saturday
The announcement was quickly hailed by campaigners, including former British Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, who has called for other UK sports to follow suit.
Davies tweeted: ‘All other UK sporting bodies must follow or are open to sex discrimination court cases for not upholding fair sport and equal opportunities for young girls and women, including masters and recreational events. All females are worthy of fair sport.’
World Athletics announced their ban on transgender women last week, with president Seb Coe saying the decision was made because of the ‘overarching need to protect the female category’.
Davies also spoke out in support of Coe following World Athletics’ announcement last Thursday.
She tweeted: ‘Thank you @sebcoe & @WorldAthletics for standing up for female athletes across the world who are worthy of fair sport.
‘Protecting the female category must include young girls, masters females & schools too.
Former swimmer Sharron Davies, who has been outspoken on the issue, last week praised the decision as ‘standing up for female athletes across the world who are worthy of fair sport’
‘They all deserve their right to fair sport. This cannot just be about elite.
‘School girls, Club athletes & masters racers (as well protecting the pathway) is no less worthy of fair competition.
‘Sport is for all. But it must be safe, fair & then inclusive.
”Not the other way round. Let’s have respectful debate & find places for everyone.’
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