An adequate resolution to the issue of the inclusion of trans athletes is another challenge facing major sports corporations.
In itself, it is not a question of “what everyone thinks”, but rather of finding, on the one hand, well-justified scientific parameters and, on the other, about the acceptance of competitors, authorities and the public itself.
For the time being, and regardless of the efforts being made in this regard, the issue feels much more likely to be accommodated in the social aspect than in the universe of tracks, stadiums... or swimming pools.
Lia Thomas ignited the debate in swimming. The American trans woman, who until 2019 competed in men’s teams, after treatment to suppress testosterone began swimming at the end of 2021 in the women’s events with the University of Pennsylvania and broke all the marks in the NCAA (National University Sports Association) championships. Her appearance was seen as a threat even by her own companions.
In June 2022, World Aquatics (formerly FINA) banned trans women from competing in women’s events and setting world records if they started the transition after the age of 12. This way, Thomas, for example, would not be able to participate. At the same time, the organization was committed to working on the creation of an Open category.
Finally, the World Cup that will take place in Berlin was where World Aquatics premiered this new category and in the first experience there were no registrations.
“The distances in several events (50 and 100 meters in all styles) had been made available for the Open Category, introduced on a pilot basis after the adoption of the Global Aquatics Policy on Eligibility for the Men’s and Women’s Competition Categories,” World Aquatics reported.
“The World Aquatics Open Category Working Group will continue its work and commitment to the aquatic community at Open Category events,” the organization added, explaining: “Even if there is no current demand at the elite level, the working group plans to study the possibility of including open category races in Masters events in the future.”
Husain Al-Musallam, president of World Aquatics, had made the position clear at the General Congress held during the recent World Cup in Fukuoka: “It was very important that we protect fair competition for our athletes, but I have been heard to say many times that there should be no discrimination. No one should be excluded from our competitions.”
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