Tokyo Olympics: Testosterone rule keeps transgender runner out of US trials

CeCe Telfer competed for the men’s team at Division II Franklin Pierce, but took time off, then came back to compete for the women’s team. 

Transgender runner CeCe Telfer will not be allowed to compete in the women’s 400-meter hurdles at US Olympic trials because Telfer has not met the conditions World Athletics established in its eligibility regulations for certain women’s events. Telfer competed for the men’s team at Division II Franklin Pierce, but took time off, then came back to compete for the women’s team. In 2019, Telfer won the NCAA title. Telfer was entered in this week’s trials, but World Athletics put out new guidelines in 2019 that closed off international women's events of between 400 meters and a mile to athletes whose testosterone levels were at 5 nonomoles per liter (nmol/L) or more. Telfer had been on the list of qualified athletes for Friday’s opening heats. A start list was published Wednesday evening that was missing Telfer’s name. USA Track and Field released a short statement that said athletes must meet the World Athletic requirements to be eligible for trials.