A transgender runner cannot compete at the United States Olympic Team Trials after not meeting the testosterone levels required to participate in women’s events.
According to The Associated Press, CeCe Telfer did not meet World Athletics’ eligibility regulations established in 2019. The guidelines closed off international women’s events between 400 meters and a mile to those who do not meet eligibility requirements, including that testosterone levels be below 5 nonomoles per liter for a span of 12 months.
“Following notification from World Athletics on June 17 that the conditions had not yet been met, USATF provided CeCe with the eligibility requirements and, along with World Athletics, the opportunity to demonstrate her eligibility so that she could compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials,” USA Track and Field said in a statement. “According to subsequent notification to CeCe from World Athletics on June 22, she has not been able to demonstrate her eligibility.”
Telfer has competed for both the men’s and women’s team at NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire. Telfer started on the men’s team, took time off, then won the 400-meter hurdles NCAA championship as a member of the women’s team in 2019, becoming the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA title.
“CeCe has turned her focus towards the future and is continuing to train,” said David McFarland, Telfer’s manager. “She will compete on the national — and world — state again soon.”
USATF’s statement said it strongly supports inclusivity while maintaining competitive fairness.
“If CeCe meets the conditions for transgender athlete participation in the future, we wholeheartedly back her participation in international events as a member of Team USATF,” USATF’s statement reads.
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