Over 100 British sportswomen oppose trans athletes competing in their category - 'Career over if you speak'

A new study from the BBC invited 615 athletes from 28 different sports to respond to the debate, while they were also asked questions about the cost of living, social media trolling and maternity in sport.

They reportedly received 143 replies and those uncomfortable with transgender participation in elite women's categories outnumbered those on board with the idea by 10 to one.

One athlete told the BBC that 'your career is over' if you speak on the subject.

Another said: "You can receive abuse if you support it or don't support it.

"Damned if you do, damned if you don't."

From the study, 104 athletes said they feel 'uncomfortable' or 'very uncomfortable' about trans women competing in their category.

Just 11 said they felt comfortable or very comfortable about the idea.

One unnamed star believes women are being put on the 'bottom of a pile' if they speak up.

"Putting them in women's sport is literally like going back in time and putting women at the bottom of the pile again and having to rebuild women back up again," they're quoted as saying.

Another said: "It makes it too much of an unfair playing field, regardless of what sport you are competing in."

"We are in a position of just trying to get that momentum and just trying to get female sport on a level playing field with the men, and almost now feel that there's decisions being made... and we're being marginalised again," said a third.

And a fourth said: "I think allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sport would be the end. It would be like going back in time."

Some do feel, however, that trans women deserve their own place in sport.

"I care a lot about inclusion and equality and as such want transgender people to be treated with respect and kindness," they're quoted as saying.

"Whilst I acknowledge that their inclusion in high-performance sport can be a complex and certainly contested topic, I also feel that transgender women have been unfairly targeted."

Others have called for an open category to resolve the situation.

"I believe sport should be for all so there should be a place in sport for transgender people, but not at the detriment of fair competition," said one sportswoman.

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A second said: "I'd never wish for anyone to not be able to participate."

And a third stated: "I wholeheartedly feel transgender athletes should be represented in sport, but within their own divisions."

Sports minister Stuart Andrew has given a statement to BBC Sport in response to the findings of the study.

The statement read: "When it comes to the participation of transgender athletes in competitive sport, I firmly believe that fairness has to be the primary consideration.

"I continue to work closely with sport governing bodies to ensure clear direction is in place that shows compassion to all athletes, whilst protecting the integrity of women's sport."

At the current moment in time, World Athletics, World Aquatics, World Rugby and the International Cricket Council are among the international governing bodies that have banned transgender women from competing in the female category at international events.

British Cycling, the Rugby Football Union and UK Athletics are among the national governing bodies to have banned transgender women from competing in the female category.