CeCe Telfer, transgender American runner, ineligible to compete in Olympic trials

USA Track and Field announced that she did not meet the guidelines required

CeCe Telfer, a transgender woman who won the NCAA title in 400-meter hurdles in 2019, will not be able to compete at the US Olympic trials, USA Track and Field announced on Thursday. 

USATF said that Telfer is not eligible, as well as a brief timeline of events, in a statement. The USATF did not get more specific than saying Telfer did not meet "eligibility requirements":

"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 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. According to subsequent notification to CeCe from World Athletics on June 22, she has not been able to demonstrate her eligibility."

It still has not been specified what made Telfer ineligible. She is looking past the Olympics and preparing for what comes next, according to her agent David McFarland.

"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," McFarland said, according 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."

The USATF added that it "strongly supports inclusivity and providing a clear path to participation in the sport for all, while also maintaining competitive fairness."

Correction: A previous version of this story mischaracterized the reason for the ruling against Telfer. USATF did not specify why she was barred from participation.