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Transgender Athletes in Athletics

Following on from the publication of the World Athletics statement on Transgender and DSD regulations UK Athletics (UKA) has published a principle statement on Transgender Eligibility in Athletics in the United Kingdom.

The statement can be found on this link

What this means for transgender female athletes:

  • If your gender is different from the sex you were registered with at birth, you are not allowed to compete in the female category from 1st April 2023.
  • Transgender female athletes who were previously approved to compete through the UKA panel process can no longer compete in the female category from 1st April, regardless of testosterone levels.
  • If you have already registered to enter an event before midnight on 31st March 2023, you will be able to compete in that event but cannot claim awards, qualifying times or records. Your score will not count towards a team result.
  • This means that a transgender female may compete in the male category unless and until any changes to event categories have been approved by UKA and the HCAFs.
  • These regulations only apply to UKA licensed, competitive events. The eligibility of transgender female athletes to compete in other events, including social/club events, in their preferred category, will depend on the rules of those competitions.
  • If you wish to enter any competitive events, you must provide details of your sex registered at birth on your ANI registration and this will be shared with the club and event organisers through your ANI/Power of 10 profile.
  • If you have already completed your ANI registration for the year prior to 31st March, this does not mean you are approved to compete in the female category for the season and you will need to ensure your personal data is updated to comply with this UKA regulation.
  • This is an evolving area and there is continual consideration of introducing an open category to replace the current male category.
  • We understand that this may be an upsetting time for transgender athletes and ANI offers confidential support and advice through our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Shauna Bratten  shauna.bratten@athleticsni.org if you have any questions regarding your eligibility.

 

What does this mean for DSD athletes:

  • DSD athletes will not be allowed to compete in the female category from 1st April until they have demonstrated their blood testosterone over a 2 year period to be less than 2.5 nmol/L (nanomoles per litre). Contact shauna.bratten@athleticsni.org for eligibility information and support during this process.

 

What this means for Event Organisers/Providers

  • All competition results up to and including 31st March 2023 will stand. We will not retrospectively alter any results before this date.
  • Please do not challenge an athlete if you suspect they are competing in the wrong category. Report the concern or enquiry directly to ANI welfare@athleticsni.org who will investigate eligibility [after the race].
  • This is an issue which needs to be handled sensitively and all concerns raised should be reported confidentially to ANI.
  • If other athletes approach you to report suspected ineligibility of another athlete, this should be reported directly to ANI. You should not investigate eligibility concerns.

 

What this means for Club memberships/selections

  • You do not need to alter the sex of an athlete on your club records, unless they are a Trans athlete who wishes to enter competition.
  • Competitive athletes who were registered male at birth will be recorded as male on all ANI records and will currently be eligible for the male category only.
  • Personal information regarding Trans athletes must be treated sensitively and any changes must be with the consent of the athlete, and only in order to enter competition.
  • Please treat athletes’ personal information confidentially. It should only be shared on a need-to-know basis.

 

What this means for school age-based competition

  • The policy applies to Home Country National School Championships and those events where athletes can qualify for Home Country National School Championships. The regulations do not apply to other local school competitions.

 

Raising a concern about eligibility

  • This new UKA regulation came into effect on 1st April 2023.
  • Please do not approach an athlete who you may believe is competing in the incorrect gender category. Report your enquiry to ANI by emailing welfare@athleticsni.org