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'Common sense has prevailed!' Internet ecstatic as World Athletics BANS trans athletes from female events

A tweet read, 'Well done to you Sharron & all the other sports people who have kept fighting for the preservation of women’s sport'

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: International athletic competitions has prohibited transgender people from taking part in the female category. World Athletics announced its decision on Thursday, March 23, stating that it put "fairness and the integrity of the female competition before inclusion."

Athletes from Russia and Belarus will continue to be barred from competition, including the Olympics, due to the conflict in Ukraine, according to Seb Coe, president of the governing organization. This places the International Olympic Committee, which is looking into a way for Russian and Belarusians to participate in Paris 2024, as "neutrals," directly at odds with World Athletics.

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Who is Seb Coe?

Sebastian Newbold Coe, Baron Coe, CH, KBE, Hon FRIBA, often known as Seb Coe (born on September 29, 1956) is a British politician, former Olympic track competitor, and current president of the IAAF. In 1980 and 1984, Coe earned the gold medal at the Olympics in the prestigious 1500-meter race. Eleven world records were established by him over the course of his career, including the 800-meter record, which stood from 1981 to 1997. He entered politics as a Conservative after retiring from athletics and subsequently served as the chairman of the 2012 organizing committee and the London Olympics' successful bid. He was elected as the IAAF President in August 2015 amidst challenging conditions related to the sport's doping problems, according to Biography Online.

What is Seb Coe's Networth?

Coe played a significant role in persuading Queen Elizabeth II to appear in the opening ceremony film for the 2012 Summer Olympics, which also featured James Bond. The President of World Athletics is thought to have a net value of $50 million, as per Players Bio.

What did Coe say about the new rules?

At a press conference in Monaco, Coe commented on the new transgender participation regulations, saying, "The World Athletics council has taken the decisive action to protect the female category in our sport."  He added, "The decision that the council made is a primarily principle-based decision and that is the overarching need to protect the female category. This is what our sport is here to do."

Woman protested against trans women in female category

Previously, transgender women were permitted to participate in the female division provided that their testosterone levels were less than five nanomoles per liter over a one-year period. World Athletics stated their intention to tighten their policy in January, but only stated that their "preferred option" was to lower testosterone levels to 2.5 nmol/L and lengthen the transition time to two years, as per Daily Mail.

This sparked a fierce reaction from female athletes and women's rights activists who demanded that transgender athletes not be allowed to compete against other women in any capacity. And soon recently, after a vote by the World Athletics council, they got what they wanted. The governing body admitted that during the consultation period, there was "little support" for their initial position.

'Protect the female category'

Coe stated, "The majority of those consulted stated that transgender athletes should not be competing in the female category. Many believe there is insufficient evidence that transwomen do not retain advantage over biological women." He added, "Where the science is insufficient to justify maintaining testosterone suppression for transgender athletes, the council agreed it must be guided by our overarching principle, which is to protect the female category." When questioned about legal challenge, Coe responded by saying, "It's possible. If that is the case, then we will do what we have done in the past which is vigorously defend our position. We will always do what we think is in the best interest of our sport."

'I think the expression is common sense prevails'

The Internet has quickly reacted to the news with many calling it a great move including Sharron Davies, the former British Olympic swimmer and leading campaigner who tweeted, "Thank you @sebcoe & @WorldAthletics for standing up for female athletes across the world who are worthy of fair sport." Another user mentioned, "Thank goodness for common sense and protecting high level female sports."

Further, a user wrote, "I think the expression is 'common sense prevails.'" Whilst, a user talked about transgender rights and stated, "I really don’t get why the powers in sport don’t make a third category just for tran athletes. I’m kinda betting it would stop them entering top level sport in either of the two previously recognised categories almost overnight." "Finally!!! Common sense has prevailed!" tweeted someone. "Well done to you Sharron & all the other sports people who have kept fighting for the preservation of women’s sport," chimed in another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.