Transgender athletes condemn ban on inclusion in female events

A football lies on the grass, as a large ribbon in the rainbow colours in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is seen in the background. (Photo: AFP)

SYDNEY/LOS ANGELES: Transgender athletes have condemned World Athletics' exclusion of transgender women from elite female competitions, while the decision was welcomed by some sportswomen as a win for fairness.

Athletics' global governing body on Thursday voted to ban transgender women who have gone through male puberty from competing in women's events, citing a "need to protect the female category".