By Craig Bannister | May 13, 2019 | 10:56 AM EDT
A biological male competing as a female weightlifter has been stripped of four world records, the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation (100% RAW) has announced.
Transgender athlete Mary Gregory had not sufficiently transitioned into a biological female, 100% RAW declared in a post on its website:
“On Saturday April 27th, the lifter exceeded the current female World Records in this lifter’s age and weight category. This automatically calls for Drug Testing protocol which takes place at the end of every event. The Drug Testing Coordinator for this event performed the drug test at which time it was revealed that this female lifter was actually a male in the process of becoming a Transgender female.”
Since 100% RAW classifies contestants based on biology, and not on gender self-identification, Gregory’s “correct physiological classification is male” – thus, no women’s records were broken, the statement says. Additionally, 100% RAW plans to create a “Transgender Division” in which Gregory can compete, the weightlifting federation announced:
1. The lifter identifies as female, and so entered the contest (with no prior consultation with the Meet Director or (100% RAW officials). Our rules, and the basis of separating genders for competition, are based on physiological classification rather than identification. On the basis of all information presented to the Board of Directors for this particular case, the conclusion made, is that the correct physiological classification is male.
2. Since the lifter’s gender classification for the purpose of our rules is not consistent with female, no female records will be broken by these lifts.
3. The lifter was uncontested during the event therefore no female lifters were denied a place finish. The lifter will be placed in a different category once the Transgender Division is introduced with a new policy.
