The decision was made “following extensive and ongoing research and consultation with stakeholders, the rowing community, academics, and other relevant organisations”
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY IVAN SMUK
British Rowing has now announced that trans women will not be able to compete in the female category at their events. Trans women will be able to compete in an “open” category and also as part of a mixed team. These measures will come into effect on 11 September.
Trans people who were assigned female at birth and are not undergoing hormone treatment will be able to compete in the female category.
In their statement, British Rowing 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.”
“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,” they continued. “We already do so in lightweight and adaptive rowing categories, and we are now doing so in the women’s category.”
They also said that this decision had been made “following extensive and ongoing research and consultation with stakeholders, the rowing community, academics, and other relevant organisations.”
This decision falls in the midst of an ongoing conversation regarding trans athletes across a number of sports, with organisations like World Athletics also banning trans women from competing in female categories.
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