CeCe Telfer, the NCAA Division II track and field champion in 2019, will not be able to compete in the women’s 400-meter hurdles US Olympic Trials due to her testosterone levels, according to USA Track and Field.
A USATF spokeswoman told CNN that Telfer, a transgender woman, was entered in this week’s trials but did not appear on start lists.
“The model of grace in the face of adversity, CeCe will respect USA Track & Field’s decision on her eligibility to compete at the US Olympic Trials this Friday in Eugene,” Telfer’s agent, David McFarland, said in a statement to CNN.
“CeCe has turned her focus towards the future and is continuing to train. She will compete on the national — and world — stage again soon,” McFarland said.
Athletes must meet the requirements to be a member of the US Olympic Team to be eligible for the track and field trials, according to USATF. The World Athletics “Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes” guidelines contain the requirements for US Olympic teams, which Telfer has not met, according to the organization.
One of the requirements for competing in the female category at an international competition in events ranging from 400 meters to a mile, according to World Athletics guidelines, is that her testosterone levels must be less than 5 nanomoles per liter for at least 12 months.
“Following notification from World Athletics on June 17 that the conditions had not yet been met, USATF provided CeCe with the eligibility requirements and, along with World Athletics, the opportunity to demonstrate her eligibility so that she could compete at the US Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field,” the USATF statement said.
“According to subsequent notification to CeCe from World Athletics on June 22, she has not been able to demonstrate her eligibility.
“USATF strongly supports inclusivity and providing a clear path to participation in the sport for all, while also maintaining competitive fairness. If CeCe meets the conditions for transgender athlete participation in the future, we wholeheartedly back her participation in international events as a member of Team USATF.”
Before medically transitioning, Telfer was a member of the NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce University men’s track and field team for three years. Telfer won the NCAA title in the women’s 400-meter hurdles as a senior for the women’s team in 2019.
