STATEMENT FROM FRNY
FRNY stands against the discrimination created by IRONMAN’s new rule set.
This week, IRONMAN announced new rules governing the participation of transgender athletes in IRONMAN competitions globally.
Summarized, the rules (1) create a competitive ban for transgender women who have previously competed in a male division in triathlon or related sports in the past 4 years (2) establish a system for challenges to an athlete’s gender classification by any individual (3) codify IRONMAN's ability to investigate an athlete's gender at the organization’s sole discretion, and (4) prevent athletes competing in their newly created, separate-but-unequal “Open” division from advancing to championship competition or earning prize money.
These policies openly discriminate against trans competitors and harm all LGBTQ+ athletes, not just those competing in triathlon. They directly impact trans athletes’ ability to compete free of discrimination or harassment, and represent a continued devaluation and erasure of trans identities in the sporting community. Beyond IRONMAN, these policies set a chilling precedent for other sport activities that seek to limit trans athletes’ participation in sport and invade their personal privacy.
FRNY stands against the discrimination created by IRONMAN’s rule set. We believe that all levels of sport should be inclusive to the full spectrum of gender diversity, and find that IRONMAN’s policies are harmful not only to members of our organization, but to all LGBTQ+ athletes and to the sporting community as a whole. We reiterate our unwavering support for all athletes to participate openly and safely in all levels of sport, regardless of gender identity, and we will continue to support our members as we focus attention on inclusive competitive events.
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The mission of Front Runners New York is to provide encouragement and support to LGBTQ+ adults who are interested in running and running-related activities. We are proud to be at the forefront of inclusivity in sports for the last 44 years and look forward to continuing our commitment to this mission for many years to come.