CeCe Telfer is the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA title, but will not be allowed to compete in the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the U.S.
CeCe Telfer is the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA title, but will not be allowed to compete in the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic trials after failing to meet the World Athletics eligibility regulations. Telfer had been entered in this week’s Olympic trials but was ruled ineligible based on the new guidelines released by World Athletics in 2019. According to Yahoo Sports, those guidelines are for international women’s athletes that compete in events between 400 meters and one mile and include that athletes’ testosterone levels must be below 5 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) for a span of 12 months. “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,” USATF (USA Track & Field) said. “ According to subsequent notification to CeCe from World Athletics on June 22, she has not been able to demonstrate her eligibility.” David McFarland — Telfer’s manager — told the Associated Press that Telfer would respect the decision.
