French Court Acquits Athletics Federation in Transgender Sprinter Halba Diouf's Discrimination Case

The Paris correctional court has acquitted the French Athletics Federation (FFA) of discrimination following a lawsuit by transgender sprinter Halba Diouf, who was excluded from women's athletics competitions. Diouf, 23, announced her intention to appeal the ruling, expressing deep disappointment and feelings of a denial of justice. Her lawyer, Jean Boudot, criticized the court for sidestepping legal debate and failing to recognize claims of discrimination and moral harassment. He highlighted a contradiction where World Athletics rules require genetic testing for athletes with a Y chromosome—a test banned under French law—yet do not prohibit transgender athletes from competing domestically.

The judgment upheld the strict enforcement of international regulations that effectively exclude transgender women from female competitions. The FFA confirmed its commitment to defend its position as the case moves to the Paris Court of Appeal. Diouf, who was absent from the ruling, maintains she would accept exclusion if scientific proof demonstrated a physical advantage, which has not yet been established. The case spotlights complex legal and ethical tensions between international sports regulations and French law, as well as ongoing challenges faced by transgender athletes in competitive sports environments.