ASCA Releases Statement Encouraging Governing Bodies to Update Transgender Policies
In light of the debate surrounding University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas and her participation in NCAA competition as a member of her school’s women’s swimming team, the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) has released a statement on the controversy. ASCA has appealed for various governing bodies to further examine the current standards for transgender participation and is urging quick action to ensure a level playing field for biological female athletes.
The NCAA, in a statement to Swimming World on Friday, indicated that its Board of Governors will discuss the topic of transgender participation at its meeting next week. Here is the complete statement from ASCA.
The American Swimming Coaches Association urges the NCAA and all governing bodies to work quickly to update their policies and rules to maintain fair competition in the women’s category of swimming. ASCA supports following all available science and evidence-based research in setting the new policies, and we strongly advocate for more research to be conducted.
ASCA embraces and encourages diversity and believes all people should have the opportunity to participate in swimming. Transgender people belong in our sport and have every right to compete, and at the same time cisgender females have a right to a category of competition that is fair and meaningful.
The current NCAA policy regarding when transgender females can compete in the women’s category can be unfair to cisgender females and needs to be reviewed and changed in a transparent manner.
The discrimination and disrespect that has erupted as a result of this conversation has no place in our sport and society. We strongly reject the criticism of the athletes and coaches who are merely following the rules.
The research is… Biological males compete against males and biological females compete against females!!! There are two sexes and they are immutable. Tired of staying the obvious!
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Well said!!!!!