“We acknowledge the impact a decision like that of World Athletics can have on transgender and DSD athletes and members of the broader community. Athletics Australia supports the WA Council agreement to set up a Working Group to further consult and consider the issue of transgender inclusion and make further recommendations to the Council.”

Swimming’s world governing bodyWorld Aquatics voted last June to bar transgender women from elite competition if they had experienced any part of male puberty. A scientific panel had found that even after reducing their testosterone levels through medication,transgender women still had a significant advantage.

The vote passed with 71 per cent of the national federations in favour.

WA regulations around DSD previously required women competing in events between 400 metres and a mile to maintain testosterone levels below five nanomoles per litre.

At the 2020 Olympics,South Africa’s Semenya and Burundi’s Niyonsaba were both barred from the 800m before turning their attention to the 5000. Semenya failed to qualify for the Games while Niyonsaba made the final before being disqualified for a lane violation.

Namibia’s Mboma,prevented from running the 400m,switched to the 200m,winning silver.

DSD athletes have male testes but do not produce enough of the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that is necessary for the formation of male external genitalia.

Reuters

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