FILE PHOTO: Diving – FINA Diving World Cup 2021 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Aquatics Test Event – Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Tokyo, Japan – May 4, 2021 Gold medal winner, Britain’s Tom Daley in an interview after win the men’s 10m final REUTERS / Naoki Ogura
Olympic diving champion Tom Daley said he was “very angry” at the decision by governing body FINA to limit the participation of transgender athletes in elite women’s competitions.
Daley, who came out as gay in 2013, was speaking at the British LGBT Awards on Friday, where he was named Sports Personality of the Year after winning a gold medal in the bronze diving event. 10 meter walk at the Tokyo Olympics.
Transgender rights have become a major theme as sport seeks to balance inclusion while ensuring there is no unfair advantage.
“I am furious,” he said of FINA’s decision to ban athletes who have gone through any male puberty from participating in the elite women’s competition.
FINA also said that they will form a working group to establish an “open” category for transgender athletes part of the new policy, which includes events for swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, skydiving and underwater swimming.
“You know, like most weirdos, anyone who’s been told they can’t compete or can’t do something they love just because of who they are, that’s not about,” he said. The 28-year-old told iNews.
“That’s something that I really feel strongly about. Give transgender people the opportunity to share with them. “
World Athletics and FIFA are among a number of governing bodies reviewing their guidance on the participation of transgender athletes following the FINA ruling, the most stringent of any body. any Olympic sport.
While FINA attracts leading scientists to join its task force to develop its rules, advocates of transgender inclusion argue that there is not enough research on the effects of transgenderism. change for physical activity.
Former Olympic medalist Sharron Davies, a strong campaigner for a more restrictive policy, said FINA was “advocating fair sport for women”.
“Swimming will always be welcoming to everyone no matter how you define it but fairness is the cornerstone of sport.”
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