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FINA, the International Swimming Federation, has voted to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s elite events if they have gone through any stage of male puberty.
The new policy requires transgender competitors to have completed their transition by age 12 in order to compete in women’s competitions.
In addition, the organization will endeavor to establish a “open” category for swimming competitions of participants whose gender identities are different from those assigned at birth.
The measure, which was approved by 71% of the votes of FINA’s 152 members, was described as “only a first step towards the full inclusion” of transgender athletes.
The decision was taken during an extraordinary general congress within the framework of the world championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Earlier, FINA members heard a report from a working group made up of leading figures from the worlds of medicine, law and sport.
“Testosterone during male puberty alters physiological determinants of human performance and explains sex-based differences in human performance that are considered clearly evident by age 12,” said Michael Joyner, Ph.D. ., physiologist and human performance expert. and panel member.
“Even if testosterone is suppressed, the performance-altering effects are retained.”
Dr. Sandra Hunter, an expert in age and sex differences in sports performance, agreed, noting that these advantages are structural in origin, such as height, limb length, heart size, lungs, and are preserved.
“FINA’s approach in formulating this policy has been broad, scientific and inclusiveAnd, most importantly, FINA’s approach has emphasized fair competition,” said Brent Nowicki, the regulator’s chief executive.
FINA’s decision follows Thursday’s decision by the UCI, which regulates cycling, to double the time limit before a transitioning cyclist can compete in women’s races.
image sources, Getty Images
Swimmer Lia Thomas competed as a man for three seasons before beginning her transition. Her case has been central to the debate over the right of transgender women to compete.
The subject of swimming has become the center of attention due to the experiences of the American swimmer Lia Thomas.
In March, Thomas became the first known transgender swimmer to claim America’s top national college title with her victory in the women’s 500-meter freestyle.
Thomas had swum for the Pennsylvania men’s team for three seasons. before starting hormone replacement therapy in the spring of 2019.
Since then, he has broken several records for his varsity swim team.
More than 300 college, national team and Olympic team swimmers have signed an open letter in support of Thomas and all transgender and non-binary swimmers, but other athletes and organizations have raised questions about the inclusion trans.
Some of Thomas’ teammates and parents wrote anonymous letters supporting her right to transition, but pointed out that it was unfair for her to compete in the women’s categories.
The United States Swimming Federation updated its policy for elite swimmers in February to allow transgender athletes to compete in elite events, but with the goal of reducing any unfair advantage, including by imposing testosterone tests 36 months before the competition.
One of the hottest debates in sport
Discussion of the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports has divided opinion both inside and outside sports circles.
Many argue that transgender women shouldn’t compete in women’s sports because of the perceived advantages they might retain – but others insist that sport should be more inclusive.
World Athletics chairman Sebastian Coe has said the “integrity” and “future” of women’s sport would be very “fragile” if sports organizations get their regulations wrong for transgender athletes.
At the heart of the debate over whether or not transgender athletes should compete in women’s sports involves a complex balance between inclusion, sporting equity and safety – essentially, whether trans women can compete in women’s categories without having an unfair advantage. or pose a threat of injury to their competitors.
Trans women must follow a set of rules to compete in specific sportsincluding in many cases, lowering your testosterone levels by a certain amount, for a set period of time, prior to competition.
However, as FINA’s decision highlights, there are concerns that female athletes may retain an edge by going through male puberty without lowering testosterone levels.
image sources, Getty Images
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