Glenique Frank, a biological male who identifies as a woman, has apologised for competing in the London Marathon in the female category. Telegraph Sport had highlighted how the runner was able to exploit a loophole in UK Athletics’ updated transgender policy to take part.

After lining up in the recent New York and Tokyo Marathons as a man, Glen Frank, 54, was permitted to enter last Sunday’s race as a woman, Glenique, recording a time of 4hr 11min 28sec and finishing in 6,160th place in a female field of more than 20,000. Frank has committed not to run another race as a female until undergoing surgery, also promising not to enter any women’s competitive races where there is prize money involved.

Frank’s apology comes in response to scathing comments from Mara Yamauchi, the third fastest British female marathon runner in history, who told Telegraph Sport “World Athletics and UK Athletics have rules that post-puberty males competing in the female category is unfair. This male competed under UK Athletics’ transitional arrangements, but it is still wrong and unfair.”

Gradually, as science proves in study after study boys who transition to female after the onset of puberty will always have an advantage over biological females, international sports governing bodies are banning most transgender athletes from competition outside of their biological sex if they’ve transitioned after puberty. Since almost all transgendered individuals are prevented from transitioning until they reach the age of reason, it becomes a virtual ban on participation in international competitions by transgendered people.

Frank is a sideshow looking for 15 minutes of fame. But the issues Frank brings to the fore are important and shouldn’t be brushed away.