The Scoop

Transgender Runner Ruled Ineligible For US Olympic Trials Over Testosterone Requirements

By • June 24, 2021 5:27 pm

CeCe Telfer, a transgender runner, has had their Olympic hopes put to an end for now.

According to the Associated Press, CeCe was deemed unable to participate in the women’s 400-meter hurdles — their trademark event – in the U.S. Olympic trials because she did not meet the World Athletics eligibility criteria for various women’s events.

Telfer would have made history as one of the first openly transgender athletes to participate in an Olympic sport if she qualified.

Telfer had been listed as a qualified competitor for Friday’s first heats, but she wasn’t on the roster on Wednesday.

According to ESPN, World Athletics announced new rules in 2019 that barred competitors with testosterone levels of 5 nonomoles per liter (nmol/L) or above from competing in international women’s races between 400 meters and a mile.

Telfer would have had to lower her testosterone levels (below the 5 nmol/L threshold) and maintain them for at least a year to be allowed to participate in an event under the rules.

Telfer’s manager, David McFarland, said in a statement on Wednesday that despite the result, Telfer would not give up on her Olympic goals.

“CeCe has turned her focus towards the future and is continuing to train. She will compete on the national – and world – stage again soon,” McFarland told AP.

“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. According to subsequent notification to CeCe from World Athletics on June 22, she has not been able to demonstrate her eligibility,” USATF said in a separate statement.

USATF said it “strongly supports inclusivity and providing a clear path to participation in the sport for all, while also 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,” the statement concluded.

Telfer played for Franklin Pierce University’s (Division II) men’s team before taking a break and returning to compete for the women’s team.

Telfer made history by being the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA championship in 2019. She was a fifth-year senior at Franklin Pierce at the time.

Download ‘The Scoop TV’ news video streaming app, the Conservative Alternative to Netflix!

Cameron Shizznit


LINKED IN Email
Read Cameron Shizznit's latest articles.