Search
shop

World Triathlon announces revised transgender eligibility regulations

The new regulations came into force on 1 January 2025
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

World Triathlon has approved alterations to the organisation’s eligibility regulations relating to transgender athletes, which will come into effect immediately.

A new age-group open category will be introduced for all genders, with major revisions made to elite category regulations.

Advertisement

Eligibility changes for elite athletes

World Triathlon has retained the four-year eligibility period for full participation by transgender women in the elite female category. However, it has modified the eligibility process to enable continued participation through the four-year term.

Transgender women will also be required to participate in academic research for the final three years of their eligibility period.

Female transgender athletes seeking elite female category eligibility will be required to provide a written declaration of their gender identity and maintain serum testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for the entire four-year eligibility period and beyond.

Furthermore, transgender females will be required to compete in a minimum number of races in the age-group open category during the first three years of the eligibility period before competing in the elite female category in the fourth year. Full eligibility will be bestowed following this period.

Male transgender athletes, meanwhile, can compete in the elite male category by submitting a signed declaration of male identity. There are no testosterone requirements and there is no eligibility period.

Equivalent rules will apply to Para Triathlon, except female transgender athletes will be required to compete in years 1-3 of the eligibility period in the Para Triathlon Male Category as there is no age-group open Para Triathlon category of racing.

Click here for the full revised eligibility criteria for transgender athletes.

A hot topic in sport

The issues of transgender eligibility has been an issue across the sporting spectrum over the past few years, with numerous governing bodies changing their regulations.

World Triathlon has also developed its policy over the last two-and-a-half years. In late 2022, the organisation voted to allow transgender women to remain eligible to compete in the female category – at the time clashing with some national governing bodies including British Triathlon.

Generic triathlon open water swim photo credit British Triathlon
[Photo credit: British Triathlon]
Stuart Dick
Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...