International sporting bodies for cycling, swimming and rugby league have strengthened rules to protect women’s sports. FINA, the world governing body for swimming, has banned men who have gone through puberty from competing in women’s events, and the International Rugby League (IRL) has temporarily barred men while it reviews its own transgender policy. Following the changes, the IRL is set to consult the eight Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2021 teams to inform its transgender policy expected next year. Katie Archibald criticised the International Olympic Committee over its handling of transgender participation in sport. President David Lappartient of the UCI, had called for the issue to be on the agenda of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, saying: “We can’t just close our eyes on what is happening”.

Source: The Guardian June 24, 2022 15:05 UTC