Female transgenders asked to cut testosterone levels by half under new IAAF regulations
Female transgender athletes have been asked to lower their testosterone levels by half under the new regulations of the IAAF. Under the new eligibility criteria, transgender athletes are not required to recognised by the law and only need to provide a signed declaration of their identification.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Council, which met in Doha, has approved new rules that require the concentration of testosterone in a female transgender athlete to be maintained at less than five nanomoles per litre — the previous limit being 10 nanomoles — for a period of at least 12 months prior to being declared eligible.Â
“She must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the expert panel that the concentration of testosterone in her serum has been less than 5nmol/L continuously for a period of at least 12 months prior to being declared eligible, and must keep her serum testosterone concentration below that level to maintain her eligibility to compete in the female category,” an IAAF statement said, reported AFP.
“Under the new regulations a transgender female athlete is no longer required to be recognised by law in her new gender but should provide a signed declaration that her gender identity is female,” the statement added.
The new rules are in line with those for hyperandrogenic competitors such as Caster Semenya, a double Olympic 800 metres champion representing South Africa, who is currently ineligible to compete and was ruled out of this year's world championships.