The international swimming federation's decision to restrict transgender athletes in elite women's competition is said to have provided a blueprint for other sports.
Governing body Fina made the decision on Sunday after a report from a transgender task force.
David Gerrard, a former Olympic swimmer for New Zealand and vice chairman of Fina's Sports Medicine Committee, said "Fina's approach was very enlightened. I hope the model is considered by other sports."
Advocates for transgender inclusion argue that not enough studies have yet been done on the impact of transition on physical performance and that elite athletes are often physical outliers.
In Fina's new policy, male-to-female transgender athletes can compete only if "they have not experienced any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 or before age 12."
Gerrard said male swimmers of 14 were posting times that would win Olympic gold in women's events.
Transgender rights is a big talking point as sports seek to balance inclusion with fairness. The debate intensified after University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I history after winning the women's 500 yards freestyle this year.
Other sports have instituted policies that restrict transgender athletes in elite women's competition, including international rugby and cycling.
The International Olympic Committee said in November no athlete should be excluded from competition on the grounds of a perceived unfair advantage but left it to sports federations to decide.
Lia Thomas
