Trans women athletes have no unfair advantage under current rules, study findshttps://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/trans-women-athletes-have-no-unfair-advantage-under-current-rules-study-finds/ar-AA16J7DS?cvid=67d92c9d3f1b4414d29798a3c682c735Story by Anne-Marije Rook (25 Jan 2023)
A scientific study on transgender women athletes in elite sport has found that if UCI rules are adhered to there is currently no substantial evidence of any biological advantages for trans women competing in elite women’s sport.
It found there was little evidence biomedical factors related to male puberty such as lung size, bone density and hip-to-knee joint angle predict an unfair advantage. But some evidence social factors like nutrition, training, and access to equipment do.
These are just some of the key findings listed in an 86-page report titled Transgender Women Athletes and Elite Sport: A Scientific Review, which was commissioned by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and published in late 2022.
The inclusion of trans-women in elite women's sport has been a hot button issue of late with high profile instances such as Emily Bridges attempt to compete in the UK sparking concern and upset on all sides. While the inclusion of trans-women has led to protests by those that worry cis women ( the term for women born anatomically female) are at a competitive disadvantage at some US races.
However, the report concluded: “The fears that cis women need be protected from trans women in elite sport are unsubstantiated and misplaced."
