Swimming, the open category for transgender athletes is born

The first change applies as of today: only swimmers who transitioned before age 12 to compete in women’s events. La Fina, International Swimming Federationhas adopted new rules for athletes transgender. sport is trying to balance inclusivity while ensuring that there is no unfair advantage.

71.5% of FINA members voted in favor of the new “gender inclusion policy” during the extraordinary general congress on the sidelines of the world championships in Budapest. Representatives of 152 national federations heard the report of a task force made up of medical, legal and sports figures at the Puskas Arena. The vote follows the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee last November which are dedicated to inclusion, but specify that there may be restrictions in the case of scientific evidence of physical superiority. The goal is to include without giving unfair advantages.

Looking at this indication, Fina has changed its rules and is also planning the establishment of a new working group that will spend the next six months looking for the most effective ways to create a new defined open category. “We must protect the rights of our athletes to compete, but we must also ensure that our events are fair, especially in the women’s categories,” said Husain Al-Musallam president of the International Federation. «La Fina will always welcome every athlete. Creating an open category is to give everyone the opportunity to compete at the highest level. It will be the first federation to do so ».

Swimming is one of the first federations to enact a regulation on transgender athletes also because it has a case that has become very well known. The American Leah Thomas, the first known transgender woman to win an NCAA Division I title, college swimming, in the women’s class. She won in the women’s 500-yard freestyle earlier this year. Her transition took place after the age of 12.

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