The governing body for the US competitive swimming unveiled its new update on the policy on the eligibility of elite transgender athletes. Here’s everything you need to know about America’s new policy.
What are the new rules for transgender swimmers?
According to USA Swimming, a new three-person medical team will be determining if “prior physical development of the athlete as a male” gives the athlete an unfair advantage. The athletes will also have to undergo testosterone tests for three years before the competitions. The policy unveiled on Tuesday is effective without any further delay. The new update comes as a transgender student from Pennsylvania University was smashing female swimming records. It “has and will continue to champion gender equity and the inclusivity of all cisgender and transgender women and their rights to participate in sport, while also fervently supporting competitive equity at elite levels of competition,” stated USA Swimming.
The new policy relies on medical evidence and scientific data for ensuring that there is a level-playing field for elite cisgender women. Additionally, the authorities also added that they “acknowledge a competitive difference in the male and female categories and the disadvantages this presents in elite head-to-head competition”. They also cited data that reveals the top-ranked female athlete in 2021 is on average ranked below 536th male. It is “to mitigate the advantages associated with male puberty and physiology,” added the authority.
What led to the updated policy?
The update to the policy is following the controversy over Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to starting hormone replacement therapy in 2019, Thomas competed on the men’s team for three seasons. Since joining the women’s team, she shattered records for the team’s fastest time for all female swimmers. She also qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship. She came first and finished 38 seconds before the second place. “As members of the Penn Women’s Swimming and Diving team. And teammates of Lia Thomas, we want to express our full support for Lia in her transition,” stated her team.
“We value her as a person, teammate, and friend,” they added. They also pushed back anonymous statements. And added that it was “not representative of the feelings, values, and opinions of the entire Penn team. Which is composed of 39 women with diverse backgrounds”. “It’s not healthy for me to read it and engage with it at all. And so I don’t, and that’s all I’ll say on that,” stated Ms. Thomas and denied further comment. However, families of students have also spoken out. “There is no chance this year. They train hard but know that they cannot beat Lia,” said a parent who wishes to stay anonymous. They also sent a letter to the NCAA asking for a change in rules for transgender swimmers.