This week, the sports world got some major news as World Aquatics, the governing body for the sport of swimming, has created an open category for transgender athletes at a World Cup event in Berlin.
The new open category, created in response to the ongoing debate about whether or not transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in women’s sports, will be available for “all sex and gender identities” and will include 50m and 100m races across all strokes.
“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,” World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam said in a statement. “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.”
The new open category will debut at the World Cup 2023 event in Berlin, scheduled for Oct. 6 through Oct. 8.
“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,” Deutscher Schwimm-Verband Vice President Kai Morgenroth said in a statement.
But not everyone was happy with the move as many people expressed their displeasure at the decision, comparing it to segregation.
They’re applauding each other for the “openness and inclusion” with this event and I bet you my life savings that no trans athletes will compete in this. https://t.co/WyPpwmEnQA
— Katelyn Burns (@transscribe) August 18, 2023
It's called Jim Crow. Yes, transgender people should boycott the insulting move.
— shelly – MCV-research / CATS Initiative (@shelly2161) August 18, 2023
I have not swam competitively since high school and am in no shape to do so now.
.
Would it be so bad to say maybe I should compete simply to demonstrate how absurdly stupid the idea is?
.
Imagine if I were the only one – every swim is a world record (assuming I finished)— initial B 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@NOSaturn) August 18, 2023
The "gender inclusion policy" which segregates people based on gender https://t.co/xJiif5LbhF
— 𝕾𝖈𝖆𝖗𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖙 𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗 🩸 (@ScarlettStarC) August 18, 2023
Oh look, segregation. https://t.co/obxD83X3WA
— Cronx Babe Ⓥ (@nyx_nyx_nyx_666) August 18, 2023
If your idea of inclusiveness requires trans people to out themselves, you're not being inclusive.
You're painting a target on our backs. https://t.co/9hfnM73Iuw
— Audace Noire | @audacityinblack.bsky.social (@audacityinblack) August 18, 2023
It’s clear that this move didn’t end the debate.
