Open Category On Way For World Cup; Provides Options For Transgender Athletes

Lane Lines and stumbling blocks - Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

World Aquatics Debuts Open Category At Berlin Stop Of 2023 Swimming World Cup

The World Aquatics open category will be included for the first time at the Swimming World Cup meet in Berlin from 6-8 October 2023.

The creation of the open category was announced in June 2022 when World Aquatics – then FINA – ruled that transgender females cannot compete in the female category if they’ve gone through male puberty.

President Husain Al Musallam proposed then that a working group would be set up to establish a separate category.

On Wednesday, World Aquatics announced that swimmers in the open category will compete in the 50m and 100m distances across all strokes with the possibility of additional events being introduced.

Participants will compete over two days in timed finals and to be eligible, swimmers need an affiliation with a national federation and will be given the flexibility to participate individually, for their club, team or as national federation members.

Berlin heralds the start of the three-stop 2023 World Cup tour, all of which are being held in 50m pools being pre-Olympic year.

A statement from the governing body said:

“This pioneering pilot project highlights the organisation’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity, welcoming swimmers of all sex and gender identities.”

They added:

“Detailed entry requirements and entry times and process information will be available soon.

“For this inaugural event, the emphasis is on gaining further experience for future development and celebrating diversity.”

Al-Musallam said:

“When World Aquatics instituted its Policy on Eligibility for the Men’s and Women’s Competition Categories, we committed to exploring the creation of an open category.

“True to our word, a team of experts has diligently worked to make this a reality. I would like to thank all those who have helped World Aquatics to deliver this opportunity.”

Deutscher Schwimm-Verband Vice President, Kai Morgenroth added:

“Berlin is thrilled to champion this groundbreaking initiative with the full endorsement of the German Swimming Federation. We’re proud to host an event where swimmers can compete without barriers.

“Berlin is Germany’s hub for diversity and inclusion and therefore the perfect location for such a progressive project.”

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