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Controversy behind FINA’s ban on transgender athletes after 12 from women’s competition – BBC News

7 hours ago

Fina, the world’s governing body for swimming, voted on Sunday (June 19) to approve new rules barring transgender people after the age of 12 or those who have gone through any stage of male puberty from participating in the top women’s events. competition.

The landmark decision means swimming is the first to have rules for transgender participation that differ from most other Olympic sports — most of which currently limit eligibility by setting a cap on testosterone.

FINA also intends to create a separate “open” category in the competition for players whose gender identity does not match the sex at birth.

Husain Al-Musallam, president of the sport’s governing body, said the decision was made to “protect the rights of our athletes to compete”, but also to “guarantee the fairness of competition”.