Megan Tobin on Ironman's New Transgender Guidelines

Megan Tobin is an age group triathlete, Principal Coach for TMT Coaching, and an advocate for inclusivity. She wanted to address the recent rule changes from Ironman regarding their open division.

Ironman has made some big changes recently, and whatever your opinion on the splitting of men's and women’s World Championships and alternating locations, most people would agree that Ironman put a lot of time and consideration into the planning, even if you’re not happy with the outcome.

The same cannot be said of Ironman’s new Transgender guidelines, which they simply adopted from World Triathlon formerly ITU, in a move they say they are adopting because they have global races so aligning with a global governing body. I mean, that kinda sounds fair. But is it?

Ironman’s announcement of their new guidelines came as a total surprise to allies, ally organizations like Athlete Ally, and leading LGBTQIA inclusion consultants such as Chris Mosier, Team USA multisport athlete, Ironman finisher, and consultant. There was no consultation or guidance asked for - unlike professional sports corporations like USWNT, MLB, or NCAA. These organizations, such as Athlete Ally, don’t write or even always agree with a governing body's policies, but they are usually at least consulted or asked for feedback.

Ironman’s response that they are adopting these rules because they have global races is also an unthoughtful answer as well. Certainly, Ironman runs races in numerous countries, but athletes also must usually agree to abide by the rules of the National governing body for triathlon, and often pay for a one-day race pass. Races occur in countries where homosexuality is punishable by law, and women have to wear head coverings in daily life - and yet Ironman's new rules forbid head coverings such as hijabs without an exception. Certainly, Ironman has assurances that its athletes will be treated fairly and with respect in these countries. And athletes understand and agree with local laws. So, it would seem that Ironman could, in countries with transgender guidelines that are more inclusive or more closely match those of the IOC, follow those guidelines.

Creating an Open category is a GREAT idea for those that want it, but banishing trans athletes to a category that is defined as non competitive and ineligible for awards and world championships if they don’t want to be there is punitive. It’s agreeing to let someone participate but not compete. Start at the back and feel othered. Fine for some who want to simply complete, but not for those who want to race. 

For perspective, I’m a white cisgender woman, a mom, and an AG athlete. These rulings seemingly don’t affect me. But excluding trans women, because the rules really only call out trans women, like excluding trans youth from sport, is denying sport and denying human rights. Denying trans women the right to compete is not protecting women or women’s sports. Women's sports have many threats, but trans women participating is not one of them. 

But is it fair? Yes. Firstly, there is no one size fits all woman, and most women have varying chromosomes and testosterone levels. We aren’t all the same size, weight or strength. The idea that being designated male at birth makes someone superior is simply misogyny. Recent highly scientific studies have shown that being designated male at birth does NOT give someone a biological advantage in sport over those designated female at birth. Yep, sorry guys.

The IOC has had a transgender athlete policy for over 20 years. 2021 saw the very first TWO trans female athletes at the Games, and only one competed. That’s .009% of athletes at the highest level, and they took no medals away from athletes that were designated female at birth. The threat and fairness questions are media manufactured, and simply another attempt to control women's bodies. 

Youth sports bans don’t just make female athletes produce birth certificates. They are causing period reporting, serum testing, and genital inspection. You read that right. If we want women to stay in sport, and teens to stay in sport, do we want a genital inspection to become part of sport? This isn’t some Margaret Atwood fiction: it’s happening right now in girl's youth sports. 

Ask yourself, how many of our trans siblings have taken a Kona slot from someone designated female at birth? Or even an Ironman podium? I’ve spent the better part of a decade working towards becoming a Kona qualifier. I’m determined to make it happen. But if a trans woman beat me and got a slot? Well, she’d damn well deserve it. I’d be hype-girling her from the front row. 

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