Nature got a victory after FINA (the international governing body for competitive swimming) ruled that transgender athletes would be banned from competing unless they have transitioned before the age 12 (a.k.a. before puberty). It was essentially a compromise ruling that would stop males who had benefitted from puberty from competing unfairly in women’s swimming events. But ABC’s Good Morning AmericaThey joined protestors condemning Monday’s move and were enraged.
“And this is, The most severe restriction on transgender athletes is by far.Swimming’s International Governing Body According to them, they have consulted with scientists and policymakers,” scoffed correspondent Juju Chang. “Some see it as a triumph of fairness or equity, while others see it as a blow to inclusion.”
Chang calls it the meat of Chang’s story. “a bombshell ruling in the world of international sports” and whined FINA would be “leaving out athletes like one of the sport’s rising stars, 23-year-old Lia Thomas.”
Chang re-purposed an interview with Thomas from earlier in the year, when he said that the main reason he outperformed the real women is because he’s happier than them.
CHANG How do you respond to this?
THOMAS: A lot of things go into the race, including how successful you are. The biggest thing for me has been that I am happy. While I did have my best moments competing against the men in sophomore year, it was not my most enjoyable. It is so relieving to know that I can lift my burden and put all of my effort into training for racing.
Chang began to play the interview repeatedly, trying to discredit science showing that transgender athletes were more successful than those who are biologically male. “But a FINA spokesperson telling the AP that according to the scientists they consulted, ‘if you transition after the start of puberty you have an advantage, which is unfair,’”She laughed.
Continue reading “the science is still evolving,” Chang admitted, “some medical experts say the effects of higher testosterone during male puberty may never be fully erased.”This is why she spoke to Dr. Michael Joyner at Mayo Clinic, a Mayo Clinic physiologist. Joyner explained how men had a huge physiological advantage over women.
CHANG – What physical issues might transwomen be unable to reverse after receiving hormone therapy for their bodies?
JOYNER However, I believe the most important thing is the interaction of exercise and skeletal muscles.
When a mature adult has to be taught something elementary, journalism is sad.
In wrapping up the video portion of the segment, Chang looked to transgendered swimmer and activist Skyler Baylor, who claims the real “threat to women’s sports” is “transphobia.” “In order to exclude the transwoman, you have to police all women’s bodies and that will lead to the destruction of the women’s category,” Baylor declared.
Once they came back to the live shot, Chang suggested there was a “concern’ (though she didn’t cite a source) that the ruling “might open the gates to other restrictions across many other sectors not just in sports.”Robin Roberts was immediately interrupted by Robin Roberts as co-host. “That’s it! It’s going to happen!”
This advocacy for the destruction of women’s sports was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Target and Macy’s. This link contains their contact information.
The Transcript is below, click “expand” to read:
ABC’s Good Morning America
June 20, 2022
Eastern: 7:31.45 AMROBIN ROBERTS – But for now, the new policy effectively prohibits transgender females from participating in women’s swim events.
Juju Chang offers more. Juju is now in effect.
JUJU CHANG – Yes. Robin. It’s good to see you.
And it is by far the strictest ban against transgender swimmers. According to the international swimming governing body, they have consulted scientists and policymakers and decided to ban trans swimmers competing in elite events such as the Olympics.
It’s seen as a victory of equity or fairness by some, and a loss for others.
[Cuts to video]
This is a major breakthrough in international sport. FINA (the swimming world’s ruling body) has effectively banned transgender athletes competing in women’s events as of today. FINA has voted to allow only women aged 12 and older who have successfully transitioned into transgender athletes in international races such as the Olympics.
Lia Thomas is 23 years old and has been a rising star of the sport. This swimmer was the first transgender to be awarded a national division I title. Thomas made her first public statement on the matter recently, as she had just completed her transgender transition at UPenn’s sophomore level. GMA.
Some people will look at your data and say that you have a competitive advantage. You might be tempted to say that you are enjoying a competitive advantage.
LIA THOMAS : A lot of things go into the race, and it’s not just about how you perform. The biggest thing for me has been that I am happy. Second year was a great experience. I enjoyed competing with men but I was unhappy. It is so relieving to know that I can lift my burden and put all of my effort into training for racing.
CHANG
THOMAS: Trans people don’t transition for athletics. To be authentic, happy, and true to ourselves, we transition. It is never a factor in our decision-making process to move for an advantage.
CHANG
THOMAS: No.
CHANG: But a FINA spokesperson telling the AP that according to the scientists they consulted, “if you transition after the start of puberty you have an advantage, which is unfair.”
While science is still in progress, medical experts suggest that higher levels of testosterone could have long-lasting effects on male fertility.
How can transwomen deal with the fact that hormone therapy may have an adverse effect on their physical health?
DR. MICHAEL JOYNER (Mayo Clinic, physiologist & professor): Obviously, issues related to body size, airway size, hand size, foot size, perhaps bone density and so forth. The main issue is not the exercise and skeletal muscles, but the interplay of them.
CHANG
Is there an Olympics for you?
THOMAS says: Swimming in the Olympic trials has been an ambition of mine for quite some time. That would be something I’d love to achieve.
CHANG: FINA now considering creating a separate group for trans athletes calling it a, quote, “open competition category.”
Skyler Baylor was the first NCAA Division I openly transgender swimmer, and allies like Skyler Baylor called the decision exclusive.
SKYLER BAYLOR: In order to exclude the transwoman, you have to police all women’s bodies and that will lead to the destruction of the women’s category. Transgender women are no threat to women’s sport. Transphobia is.
[Cuts back to live]
CHANG: Now, FINA, the governing body, says they’ll define what an “open category” [air quotes] would consist of for transgender athletes in the next few months, but many activists consider that “othering” [air quotes]. Another concern is that this ruling may open the doors to restrictions in many other industries, beyond sports. Robin.
ROBERTS: That’s it!
CHANG
ROBERTS: It’s going to happen! Juju, it’s all right.
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