Lord Coe: 'Female athletes don't stand a chance against their trans rivals'

WOMEN Olympians would never win a gold medal again if they had to compete against transgender athletes, World Athletics chief Lord Seb Coe says.

-  Mark Reynolds

He believes the issue is "very clear cut" because of the physical advantages afforded by male puberty.

Lord Coe, 67, also said that while trans athletes should not be allowed to compete at elite level, they should still be encouraged in the lower leagues.

He has not ruled out the introduction of a third category for trans athletes but said it would essentially "still be a male category".

He spoke as swimmer Sharron Davies, who lost out on gold in 1980 to an opponent taking testosterone, continues her campaign against trans women competing with females.

Testosterone