Major Australian Names Speak Out on Topic Of Transgender Participation and Fairness in Swimming
Australian superstar Emma McKeon and Swimming Australia President Tracy Stockwell have weighed in on the transgender debate that has been a hot topic in the sport for the past few months. Both athletes, who are Olympic champions, noted the importance of maintaining fairness in the sport for women, and ensuring a level playing field.
The issue of transgender athletes in sports became a topic in the swimming world last December when Lia Thomas, from the University of Pennsylvania, began competing for the women’s team at the college. Thomas was previously a three-year member of Penn’s men’s team before transitioning from male to female. She was eligible to race for the women’s team as she met guidelines instituted by the NCAA, rules that were based on outdated science. Thomas went on to win the NCAA title in the 500-yard freestyle and was a finalist in the 100 and 200 freestyles.
The argument against transgender women competing against biological women hinges on the effects of male puberty and the production of years of testosterone, along with advantages such as greater lung capacity, hand and feet size and built-up strength.
McKeon, who won seven medals at last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, discussed the issue with Australian media and indicated the need for fairness in competition.
“I mean, I personally wouldn’t want to be racing against someone who is biologically a male, so that’s a concern,” McKeon said. “It’s not a new thing, but it’s new in that sport, swimming, are going to have to deal with it.
“I don’t think I’m going to have to race against a trans swimmer. I don’t think it’s going to come to that point. Now that it’s a growing thing, the sport has to think about how to handle it and how to deal with it, because you do want to be inclusive, but you don’t want to have females racing against swimmers who are biologically male because it’s just not fair.”
In addition to McKeon, Stockwell addressed the debate. Known as Tracy Caulkins during her competitive days, in which she captured three Olympic titles for the United States at the 1984 Olympics, Stockwell is now leading Swimming Australia. She is regarded as one of the greatest women’s swimmers in history, an all-around star who set a bevy of world and American records.
Stockwell examined the issue from her seat as the head of a major organization, as well as from the standpoint of an elite athlete.
“It’s complicated, it’s emotional, it’s divisive, depending on people’s views,” Stockwell said. “I respect everyone’s opportunity to have their view on it so we will be liaising and have spoken to FINA about doing more research and coming up with an international policy. I think that’s the important thing. We want to be inclusive, but we also want to be fair. And the big question is, how do we do that?
“I’m not a medical expert or a doctor and so I can’t speak to how long does it take to mitigate the benefits of going into male puberty and what is the right level of testosterone. But there are rules for women in sport about testosterone levels and as someone who competed against the East German women, I think many people would say, ‘well, that wasn’t fair.’”
Trans identifying males should not be playing in any female sports. The female category of sports was created by women for women and girls–not biological males who identify as a woman or girl.
Fair play for females is not transphobic.
Thank you Emma!
I hope they do more research. Maybe work on a handicap system. Trans women obviously want fair competition too.
Trans anyone should have their own leagues for all sports, own locker rooms, bathrooms etc…. people should not have to be forced to comply to make them feel equal, because, they aren’t equal in any right.
Trans women should be welcome and encouraged to play sports, but they should compete with other biological males. No need for hate. Just fairness and sports for all! We make biological distinctions in all kinds of sports….weight/age etc. This is the same.