I'm so confused by all this.
$1:
In a policy that went into effect Monday, FINA allows only transgender swimmers who transition from male to female before age 12 to compete in women's events.
Before age 12?
![[huh]](./images/smilies/icon_scratch.gif "huh?"){kind=icon}
Why, why, why would a child go through this before freaking puberty? I just can't grasp this.$1:
FINA contends higher testosterone levels in males from puberty onward give them a competitive advantage in aquatic sport.
FINA says gender affirming male-to-female transition procedures can blunt some, but not all, effects of testosterone on body structure and muscle function “but there will be persistent legacy effects that will give male-to-female transgender athletes (transgender women) a relative performance advantage over biological females.
“A biological female athlete cannot overcome that advantage through training or nutrition.”
FINA says gender affirming male-to-female transition procedures can blunt some, but not all, effects of testosterone on body structure and muscle function “but there will be persistent legacy effects that will give male-to-female transgender athletes (transgender women) a relative performance advantage over biological females.
“A biological female athlete cannot overcome that advantage through training or nutrition.”
Obviously a trans man will have an advantage because men, in general, are stronger than women. Just the way we are made.
$1:
“We are also supportive of the work FINA will undertake to create a new open competition category, reflecting FINA's commitment to inclusion.”
A separate category is probably best though I'm sure there will be some kind of backlash about it.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/canada-vo ... -1.5956982