Boris Johnson backs FINA’s swimming ban on trans athletes: “I see no reason to dissent”
Boris Johnson has indicated that he supports FINA’s move to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s events. On 19 June, the world’s swimming governing body announced its new gender inclusion policy.
Under the new set of rules, trans women who transition after the age of 12 would be effectively banned from competing in events. “This is not saying that people are encouraged to transition by the age of 12.
It’s what the scientists are saying, that if you transition after the start of puberty, you have an advantage, which is unfair,” James Pearce, the spokesperson for FINA president Husain Al-Musallam, told the Associated Press. “They’re not saying everyone should transition by age 11, that’s ridiculous.
You can’t transition by that age in most countries and hopefully wouldn’t be encouraged to. “Basically, what they’re saying is that it is not feasible for people who have transitioned to compete without having an advantage.” Alongside the aforementioned regulations, FINA also announced that a “working group” is set to create an “open category” for trans athletes to compete in certain events.
