Caitlyn Jenner backs FINA ban on trans swimmers like Lia Thomas: 'Don't take medals away from females'
Retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete Caitlyn Jenner has reacted in favor of the announcement made by FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) that transgender women like Lia Thomas will be banned from competing in women's swimming events. The governing body took the call on June 19 after it adopted a new gender inclusion policy that only permits swimmers who transitioned before the age of 12 to compete in women’s events. The organization also proposed an "open competition category."
Caitlyn Jenner responded to the announcement by tweeting, “It worked! I took a lot of heat - but what’s fair is fair! If you go through male puberty you should not be able to take medals away from females. Period." Australian Olympic gold medallist Emily Seebohm too welcomed FINA’s decision, saying the sport could now move on with certainty. "I’m finally happy that we have a decision, and we know where the sport’s going and what we’re going to be doing,” she told Sky News. On the other hand, Athlete Ally, an advocacy group for LGBTQI+, has condemned the decision.
