Sir Keir Starmer should follow Donald Trump’s order banning transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sport, Olympian Sharron Davies has said.
The former swimmer led calls from athletes, MPs and women’s rights groups who welcomed the US President’s move.
After Mr Trump signed an executive order titled ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’, Ms Davies said a UK ban should be brought in to ‘protect all female athletes’.
‘Please Keir Starmer can you now do as you said you would and protect all female athletes here in the UK in sport and stop males from stealing their places, awards and increasing their risk of injury,’ she posted on X.
‘Biology matters especially in a physical activity like sport, but women and girls deserve spaces away from any and all males.’
President Trump’s order largely covers high schools, universities and grassroots sports but he has said it will include the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
As he signed the order, Mr Trump declared ‘the war on women’s sports is over’ adding: ‘My administration will not stand by and watch men beat and batter female athletes.’
Ms Davies was joined by other athletes last night. Former British Olympic marathon runner Mara Yamauchi told the Mail: ‘It is long overdue for the Prime Minister to do the same in the UK.’
Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to follow Donald Trump in banning transgender athletes from women’s sport
Olympian Sharron Davies said the PM should introduce a ban to ‘protect all female athletes’
Mr Trump signed an executive order entitled ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’, covering schools and grassroots sports, but he has said it will include the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
She added: ‘Women and girls are sick of unfair and unsafe sport against males and are leaving sport because of it.’
A number of sports governing bodies have updated their policies on transgender athletes in recent years.
Athletics, swimming and rugby union have banned trans women – who are biologically male – from competing in female categories, while sports including rowing and cycling have more nuanced rules.
England Hockey says it will ban trans women from competing in the female category next season.
MP Rosie Duffield said the UK should follow the US President.
‘Trump’s actions are pretty much the only thing I’ve ever agreed with him on,’ she added.
Fiona McAnena, of human rights charity Sex Matters, said: ‘We would love to see the Labour government step up and demand this on behalf of sportswomen.’
Lord Coe, who hopes to be elected as president of the International Olympic Committee next month, expressed support for Mr Trump, posting on X: ‘Preserving the integrity of competition in the female category is a fundamental principle of the sport of athletics.’
