Tori Huske in action
World swimming’s governing body FINA has adopted new rules for transgender athletes. FINA members voted 71.5 percent in favor of the new “gender inclusion policy” on Sunday. As per the policy, only those swimmers who made the transition before the age of 12 will participate in women’s events, effective Monday.
The policy also includes proposals for a new “open competition” category. FINA said it is “setting up a new working group that will spend the next six months looking at the most effective ways to establish this new category.”
Members voted after hearing presentations from three expert groups – an athlete group, a science and medical group, and a legal and human rights group. The group was working together to formulate a policy following the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC recommends that the focus be shifted from individual testosterone levels to calling for evidence when a performance benefit exists.
Earlier in March, Lia Thomas made history in the United States as the first transgender woman to win the NCAA Swimming Championships. He won the 500-yard freestyle.
Other sports have also been scrutinizing their rules.
On Thursday, cycling’s governing body updated its eligibility rules for transgender athletes with stricter limits that would force riders to wait longer before competing.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) extended the transition period for low testosterone to two years and lowered the maximum accepted level of testosterone.
(Inputs from PTI)