Swimming Australia welcomes new FINA policy on transgender athletes for offering 'clarity'

The introduction of new policies that will effectively prevent transgender athletes from competing in elite women’s swimming by world aquatics body FINA has been welcomed by Swimming Australia.

Introduced yesterday after being voted for by 71.5% of FINA members, the new ‘gender inclusion policy’ that will only permit swimmers who transitioned before the age of 12 to compete in women’s events.

While there are currently no transgender women competing in elite levels of swimming, the topic has had a high profile this year and Swimming Australia had been a leader in pushing FINA to find a resolution to the issue.

In a statement released after Sunday’s vote in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Swimming Australia advised “FINA has conducted a comprehensive process to form this policy, consulting scientific, medical, legal and human rights experts, as well as athlete representatives.

“We appreciate FINA’s thorough work on this issue, as well as the clarity it provides in relation to all FINA competitions and FINA recognised World Records.

“Swimming Australia endorses a competitive environment that is fair and equitable for all athletes at the High Performance level, and we believe this new policy reflects that position.

“We also firmly believe in inclusivity and the opportunity for all athletes to experience the sport of swimming in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity and expression.

“It is both our responsibility and commitment to continue to learn and educate ourselves on the appropriate balance in this space.

“Work will now continue on our domestic policy to provide guidance to our broad swimming family at the community level.

“Finally, we commend FINA on their pledge to create an open competition category, a first in world sport, and look forward to working with the committee established to find the most effective ways to implement this category.

FINA is now creating a working group to investigate establishing an ‘open’ category for transgender athletes in some events as part of its new policy.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) also backed FINA’s decision, saying sports were bound to ensure participation was “fair and safe.”

An AOC spokesperson advised "while inclusivity must be respected, fairness in competition is a core value of sport.

“FINA has made a decision based on the circumstances in the sport of swimming to achieve that balance.”

FINA’s new 24-page policy, effective from Monday 20th June, explains new rules covering how transgender men and women will be allowed to compete in elite competitions.

Image: The SA  Aquatic Leisure Centre during the recent Swimming Australia championships.