Australia's Lexi Rodgers has been banned from participating in women's competitions by the Australian Basketball Federation because of her transgender identity, with the league acknowledging Tuesday the "complexity" of the issue that will evolve. This decision was taken on the advice of a committee of experts comprising a licensed medical practitioner and a sports doctor.

"As a governing body, we recognise that we are always on the path to education and understanding," Basketball Australia said in a statement. "To help us develop our framework, Lexi will provide us with feedback and advice from its experiences," the League added.

'A complex balance'

"The balance between inclusion, fairness and the competitive nature of the sport will always be a complex area to understand," according to Basket Australia, adding that the eligibility of transgender players is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Rodgers said she was saddened by the decision, hoping it wasn't a permanent ban. "I was touched by the number of people who spoke out publicly in support of my inclusion," she wrote on Instagram. I hope Basketball Australia understands that this is not the end of my journey as an athlete and that they will not miss future opportunities to demonstrate their values. Because I am sad about the potential message this decision sends to trans and gender-diverse people around the world. »


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The ban provoked mixed reactions on social media, with former Australian NBA star Andrew Bogut calling it "a good decision": "Activists are trying to complicate what's simple: women's sport is for women," he wrote.

Many sports regularly face similar debates. Transgender women are no longer allowed to compete in women's track and field, regardless of their testosterone level, World Athletics decided last month.

Last week, Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra said the issue of transgender athletes' participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics would depend on the rules set by international sports federations. She acknowledged that this topic was sensitive and constantly evolving, requiring a balance between inclusion and respect for sporting fairness.

  • Basketball
  • Sport
  • Australia
  • Transgender