The international governing body for swimming voted Sunday to largely restrict trans athletes from competing in the elite level of women's swimming, but will consider setting up new "open competition" events, a decision that follows months of controversy, and was cast by the organization as a way of balancing inclusion with
University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas dives off the starting block in the 500 freestyle to win the gold medal. Rich von Biberstein is the photographer for Icon sportswire.
Swimmers who transitioned after age 12 are barred from competing in women's events by the governing body.
A majority of the organization's voting members voted in favor of the new policy.
The federation has to protect the rights of our athletes to compete, but we also have to protect competitive fairness at our events, according to the president.
There is a proposal for an "open competition" category for athletes who do not meet the criteria for men's or women's competition.
A spokesman for Al-Musallam told the Associated Press that the decision was made because some scientists thought a person transitioned after puberty. There is a new policy.
Lia Thomas defended her right to compete in women's sports after winning an NCAA Division I individual national title. Thomas told Good Morning America that she wants to swim in the U.S. Olympic trials.
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health updated its guidelines to lower the minimum age for starting gender hormone treatment from 16 to 14 and set the minimum age for some surgical procedures at 15 or 17 years old. There has been a surge in legislation in the United States barring or preventing trans athletes from competing in sporting events. According to the New York Times, some 18 states have passed laws that prevent trans women and girls from playing sports. The NCAA changed its rules in January to allow individual sports to determine their own eligibility rules for trans athletes. The NCAA used to require trans athletes to have undergone a year of testosterone suppression in order to play on a women's team.
New guidelines say that trans kids' treatment can start at a young age.
Doctors are divided over the care of children.
Lia Thomas is pushing back against detractors of trans athletes.
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