The gender debate that plagued the entire world and divided people over different opinions is in the light again. On Sunday, at the General Congress of FINA, the body members decided to bar transgender women from competing in women’s categories in elite swimming events. The decision happened during the world championships in Budapest.
In March, Lia Thomas won the college Women’s 500-yard freestyle becoming the first transgender woman to do so. However, it sparked a debate about transgender women’s participation in the women’s category. FINA will now have “an open category,” permitting participants who transitioned before 12 years of age.
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“There’s An Advantage, Which Is Unfair”: James Pearce, Spokesperson for FINA President Clarifies The Decision
After consulting experts in medicine, sports, and legal backgrounds, FINA excluded trans women’s participation in the women’s category at the elite events. Not to mention, the ban has criteria laid down. As per the report, competitors who did not transition before 12 years of age can participate in the women’s category.
The spokesperson of the highest governing body’s President, James Pearce clarified on behalf of the Federation, “This is not saying that people are encouraged to transition by the age of 12. It’s what the scientists are saying, that if you transition after the start of puberty, you have an advantage, which is unfair.”
He continued, “They’re not saying everyone should transition by age 11, that’s ridiculous. You can’t transition by that age in most countries and hopefully, you wouldn’t be encouraged to. Basically, what they’re saying is that it is not feasible for people who have transitioned to compete without having an advantage.”
Dr. Sandra Hunter, an exercise physiologist said, “By 14 years or older, the difference between boys and girls is substantial. That’s due to the advantages experienced due to the physiological adaptations in testosterone and the possession of the Y chromosome.”
Hunter continued, “Some of these physical advantages are structural in origin such as height, limb length, heart size, and lung size and they will be retained. Even with the suppression or reduction of testosterone that occurs in the transition from male to female.”
Sharron Davies Welcomes The Decision
I can’t tell you how proud I am of my sport @fina & @fina_president for doing the science, asking the athletes/coaches and standing up for fair sport for females. Swimming will always welcome everyone no matter how you identify but fairness is the cornerstone of sport https://t.co/1IaMkIFOkX
— Sharron Davies MBE (@sharrond62) June 19, 2022
Former British Champion Sharron Davies accepted the decision with open arms. Davies lost the Olympics to Petra Schneider, who later pleaded guilty to using performance-enhancing drugs, including testosterone.
She tweeted, “I can’t tell you how proud I am of my sport @fina & @fina_president for doing the science, asking the athletes/coaches, and standing up for fair sport for females.” She continued, “Swimming will always welcome everyone no matter how you identify but fairness is the cornerstone of sport.”
FINA Receives Criticism For Their Decision
In their exhaustive report, they wanted to create an inclusive policy and protect competitive fairness. Addressing the decision’s aim, Brent Nowicki, the executive director, said, “Fina’s approach in drafting this policy was comprehensive, science-based, and inclusive, and, importantly, Fina’s approach emphasized competitive fairness.”
They decided to bring a new “open category” for athletes of different orientations to take part. Husain Al-Musallam said, “Fina will always welcome every athlete. The creation of an open category will mean that everybody has the opportunity to compete at an elite level. This has not been done before, so Fina will need to lead the way. I want all athletes to feel included in being able to develop ideas during this process.”
Athlete Ally, an LGBTQIA+ rights group did not welcome the decision. In their statement, they said, “The eligibility criteria for the women’s category as it is laid out in the policy police the bodies of all women, and will not be enforceable without seriously violating the privacy and human rights of any athlete looking to compete in the women’s category.”
FINA’s decision had a ripple effect in other sports as well. The International Cycling Union(UCI) lowered the maximum acceptance of testosterone levels and increased the transition period to two years.
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