British Rowing has banned transgender women from competing in female races from next month.
Under the governing body’s new policy, the men’s category will become ‘open’ for anyone to compete in, while the women’s category will be restricted to those who were born female.
British Rowing had previously allowed transgender women to participate in female events providing their testosterone levels were below five nanomoles per litre for two years.
But its new guidelines brings rowing into line with other British Olympic sports, including athletics, swimming and cycling.
The group said: ‘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
‘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, which still lets transgender women compete in female races if their testosterone levels are below 2.5nmol/L.
British Rowing added: ‘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.’
