World swimming’s governing body FINA on Sunday voted for new eligibility. These rules that restrict the participation of transgender athletes in elite women’s competitions.
The policy is the strictest from any Olympic sports body. This bars any transgender women who have gone through male puberty from competing in women’s events.FINA also agreed to work towards establishing an “open” category for some events that would ensure all swimmers would have the chance to compete.
The decision means that swimmers like American Lia Thomas will not be able to compete in world championships or the Olympics.
Why did FINA take this decision?
Those who campaigned for change argued that people who have gone through male puberty have physical advantages. Ans therefore,women’s competition needed to be protected.
Supporters of trans participation argue that they haven’t done enough research regard this question. And whether trans women have any advantage. According to them FINA’ s new policy is “discriminatory, harmful, unscientific”.
