World Athletics excludes gender confused men from female events in landmark ruling

World Athletics has chosen to exclude "transgender women" - men - who have gone through male puberty from female events.

Lord Coe said the body has taken “decisive action” in a bid to “protect the female category in our sport”.

Lord Coe told a news conference in Monaco: "The council has agreed to exclude male-to-female transgender athletes, who have been through male puberty, from female world ranking competitions from 31 March.

"In January, World Athletics said it was consulting with member federations on a proposal to change the rules on participation of transgender women in female competitions.

"The issue is thorny as sports try to strike a balance between inclusivity and making sure there is no unfair advantage."

Lord Coe said a working group will be created in order to do further research in transgender eligibility guidelines.

Its remit will be to "consult specifically with transgender athletes to seek views on competing in athletics".

The landmark decision was made after a consultation with 40 member federations, athletes and coaches, accoring to Lord Coe.

The governing body had previously floated the option of transgender athletes being allowed to compete in the female category if they, too, maintained testosterone levels below 2.5 nanomoles per litre for 24 months.

However it said on Thursday that it became apparent there was little support within the sport for that proposal.

"We're not saying no forever," Coe said, adding that WA would form a task force to study the issue of trans inclusion that would be chaired by a transgender athlete.

DSD athletes will have to reduce their testosterone levels below the new limit for a minimum of 24 months to compete internationally in any elite event in the female category, WA said in a statement.

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.

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