Crackdown on trans athletes in female sports

A CLAMPDOWN on transgender women taking part in elite and competitive sport in the interest of ‘ fairness’ is reportedly being planned by the Government.

Senior figures from major national sporting bodies are understood to have been asked to meet Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Michelle Donelan to discuss the matter.

An insider said she will insist that elite women’s sport ‘must be reserved for people born of the female sex’.

Open categories for transgender athletes are expected to be offered as a solution to the issue, which has caused problems among sports organisations and frustration among competitors.

A source close to Ms Donelan told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘She has the utmost compassion for people born into a body they don’t recognise and fully supports our long-established route for people to change their legal sex if they wish.

‘But, in a sporting context, this issue is underpinned by scientific evidence.’

Critics of trans women taking part in female sport say physical changes from puberty make for an unfair advantage.