Swimming’s ruling on transgender women continues a trend

FIRST IT WAS rugby union. Now it is swimming. On June 19th the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA), swimming’s global governing body, ruled that transgender women—ie, biological males who consider themselves women—would not be allowed to compete in women’s elite races if they have gone through male puberty. Two days later International Rugby League said it would not allow transgender women to play in the international women’s game, pending further research. Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics, welcomed FINA’s decision, suggesting that the global track-and-field authority may soon go the same way. FIFA, which governs football, is rumoured to be considering a similar ruling.