Sports timeline

Olympics transgender policy approved

The International Olympic Committee approves a policy for post-operative transsexuals to compete in women’s events, expecting this to be extremely rare, as Dr Emma Hilton explains in this talk.

Trans runner advises amends

The International Olympic Committee consults a trans-identifying male runner, Joanna Harper, and amends its policy to require only 12 months of testosterone suppression below 10nmol (the typical female range is around 1nmol). Listen to Joanna Harper talk about being involved in changing the policy.

Policy review requested

Sharron Davies MBE and Fair Play For Women send a letter to the International Olympic Committee signed by 60 Olympians asking for a review of the 2015 testosterone suppression policy, to restore fairness for female competitors. There is no reply.

New UK guidance commissioned

The UK Sports Councils Equality Group commissions new guidance on transgender inclusion in female sport.

Cycling and rugby unions consult

British Cycling and the Rugby Football Union run consultations on transgender policy, but no results are published. The RFU’s approach is a case-by-case assessment, but there is no detail on how this will work.

“Inclusion” or fairness – not both

New Sports Councils Equality Group guidance is published: trans (male) inclusion in female category is incompatible with fairness and in some cases safety for females. Sport governing bodies must choose.

Male swimmer in women’s races

Trans-identifying male swimmer Lia Thomas wins and sets new records in women’s events at the Ivy League Championship and the NCAA championship in the USA. A trans-identifying female swims in the same event, in the women’s competition. Listen to the crowd in this race, dominated by Thomas.

Cycling changes track

British Cycling withdraws its transgender inclusion policy, consults with its international federation, Union Cycliste Internationale, and declares Bridges ineligible.

Women only in swimming

The international swimming federation, FINA, also known as World Aquatics, announces a new policy excluding anyone who has been through male puberty from female competition.

Triathlon fudges the issue;
boxing stays strong

World Triathlon announces a revised policy based on two years of testosterone suppression and a requirement not to have competed in men’s events for four years.

The World Boxing Council announces that its policy will remain sex-based for safety.

After lengthy review processes, the Irish RFU and Welsh Rugby Union adopt sex-based policies to match the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League.

Call for clarity in UK

In response to proposals from World Athletics, UK Athletics states that testosterone suppression does not work and calls for clarity in UK law. The Equality and Human Rights Commission responds with a statement that it is lawful to exclude all males, even those with a gender-recognition certificate, from female sport.

Karate: females only

The British Karate Federation restricts women’s competitions to those born female.

British Cycling compromises

British Cycling adopts open and female categories for all competitions from the end of 2023. But “women-only” Breeze rides – designed to encourage more women to cycle for fun – will still include “transgender women and non-binary people”.

Rowing in Britain

British Rowing announces that its female category will be restricted to those “assigned female at birth”, alongside an open category, from 11th September 2023.

Woman’s leg broken in football match

A row breaks out in a Sheffield women’s football league after a female player is seriously injured, prompting much media coverage but no action from the Football Association.

International cricket takes a stand

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announces new gender eligibility regulations, protecting the women’s game.

British Judo

British Judo adopts a revised policy in which only those born female are eligible for women’s events, without publicity.

A report from think-tank Policy Exchange makes the case for a protected female category in sport.

American Football in Britain sees sense

The British American Football quietly introduces a revised policy to protect female players.

A new paper by 26 academics, The International Olympic Committee framework on fairness, inclusion and nondiscrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations does not protect fairness for female athletes, points out the flaws in the IOC’s November 2021 statement.

World Netball protects women

After a years-long review process, World Netball announces it will restrict women’s teams to those born female, regardless of identity. But the policy is instantly rejected by Netball Australia, the biggest netball country.

British Fencing adopts sex-based policy

In September 2024 another UK sport protects the female category with a revised policy.

US Ladies Professional Golf Association is true to its name

Hailey Davidson, a male college golfer, is one stroke away from the women’s pro tour when the LPGA changes its policy to exclude anyone who has gone through male puberty.

England Hockey keeps it simple and fair

England Hockey updates its policy, acknowledging that hockey is a gender-affected sport and so to secure fair competition its Trans and Non-Binary Participation Policy should restrict trans participation.

Complicated rules re-establish fairness but leave the door open

World Triathlon’s new policy adopts open and female categories, but allows trans-identifying males into elite female events after four years of testosterone suppression.

Safer ice-hockey across the UK

Ice Hockey UK announces that its female category will be restricted to those whose sex at birth was female.

The end of the UK pool legal case

Ultimate Pool Group amends its rules to restrict women’s tournaments to those born female, ending a 15-month legal action brought by female players. 

The FA protects women’s football in England

On 1 May, the Football Association announces that from 1st June, trans-identifying male players would no longer be allowed to play in women’s teams. Registered male players were being contacted individually, with up to six counselling sessions on offer.

The ECB drops its two-tier policy

With immediate effect, the England and Wales Cricket Board has said, “all women’s matches are “only those whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women’s cricket and girls’ cricket matches”.