Swimming’s international ruling body, FINA, excluded transgender women from competing in the women’s division in a contentious judgement on Monday, with Athletics and Football following suit. Check out complete details about it below.
FINA forbids transgender women from competing in the women’s category
The International Swimming Association (FINA) decided prohibited transgender swimmers competing in female sports. with the condition that the transgender swimmer should have accomplished their transition before the age of 12.
The policy was approved by 196 votes out of 274 polled. The ruling only applies to FINA top competitions. The BBC and British media outlets reported on Athletics and FIFA, as two other major sporting groups prepare to take on the mantle of swimming.
FINA President Husain Al-Musallam proposed the formation of a Steering Committee to introduce a “open category” in several FINA tournaments. “The formation of an open category would imply that anyone has the possibility to participate at a top level,” Musallam stated of the ‘open category.’ “This has never been accomplished before. So FINA will have to lead the way.”
Seb Coe, president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), subsequently told the BBC: “We see an international federation establishing its authority in setting rules, laws, and policies that are in the best interests of its sport.”
This is exactly as it should be. We have always maintained that biology takes precedence over gender. And we will continue to examine our policies to reflect this. We’ll stick to science.”
Gender activists were outraged by the action, which they saw as exclusionary.
One may argue that Lia Thomas was the catalyst for the international swimming organisation to implement this policy. Thomas previously participated in the male division for Penn State University. And was a member of their squad for three years. In 2019, she began hormone replacement treatment in accordance with NCAA and Ivy League regulations.