British diver Tom Daley has slammed FINA‘s landmark decision to restrict transgender swimmers in women’s events.
The international federation for aquatic sports, including diving, swimming and water polo recently adopted a new “gender inclusion policy” that only permits athletes who transitioned before age 12 to compete in women’s swimming events.
Speaking at the British LGBT Awards, the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist told iNews he was enraged by the decision which will segregate transgender athletes.
“I was furious,” he said.
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“Anyone that’s told that they can’t compete or can’t do something they love just because of who they are, it’s not on.
“It’s something I feel really strongly about. Giving trans people the chance to share their side.”
A campaigner for LGBTQ rights, Daley is married to Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Dustin Lance Black. He has in the past used his platform and international success to call out countries where homosexuality is criminalised.
FINA’s verdict hinged on a majority vote from its members at the organisation’s general congress in Budapest, after hearing presentations from three expert groups.
The organisation also proposed a new “open competition category” to ensure every athlete has an opportunity to compete, while upholding fairness to biological females.
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