UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has waded into the growing furore surrounding the fairness of trans athletes competing against women as he says that it is “sensible” that biologically born men shouldn’t be permitted to compete in female sporting categories.
Johnson’s comments come days after transgender cyclist Emily Bridges was prohibited from taking part at the National Omnium Championships last weekend.
Bridges, 21, began hormone treatment last year and had been given the all-clear to race by British Cycling but this was subsequently overruled by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international governing body of the sport.
“I don’t think that biological males should be competing in female sporting events. And maybe that’s a controversial thing… but it just seems to me to be sensible,” said Johnson.
“That doesn’t mean that I’m not immensely sympathetic to people who want to change gender, to transition. It’s vital that we give people the maximum possible love and support in making those decisions.
“But these are complex issues and I don’t think they can be solved with one swift, easy piece of legislation. It takes a lot of thought to get this right.”