European long jump indoor runner-up Yolanda Chen on “There is a theme” on “” welcomed the introduction of new rules in swimming, according to which former men who have changed sex after 12 years will not be able to participate in women’s competitions.
The Congress of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in Budapest has decided that transgender people who have made the transition after reaching the age of 12 will not be able to participate in women’s competitions under the auspices of this organization. Additionally, FINA President Hussein Al-Musallam announced the creation of a working group to create an open category for transgender people.
Do you feel sorry for Leah Thomas?
No, I don’t feel sorry for her at all. We talked about it several times. We get used to everything new so quickly and introduce newness into our lives so quickly. Never mind the laws, the gadgets, never mind. And here there is a kind of inertia. For several years, this subject has haunted the minds of female athletes in various sports. And then, finally, it happened. It is a very correct decision.
First, at the age of 12, they have to decide, they have to undergo a certain physiological and pharmacological training in order to have the right to participate with women on an equal footing. And not be stronger.
And the second is that it is an open category. I am very happy about it. I hope other organizations and federations will follow FINA and do the same. And we have a very nice touch in athletics. We have already talked about those athletes who easily defeat the most famous champions. Thank goodness some of them are injured there, some don’t perform, but they still are, they’re there. And it is always a danger.
There is for example a Francine Niyonsaba from Burundi, one of the winners of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (silver in the 800m), she performed on one of the stages of the Diamond League very recently. We were afraid that she would run ahead again. And again this subject will be raised. And she participated as a pacemaker, scattered the girls and left the race. This is a very good shade and very auspicious.
I completely agree. God forbid that happens! Chen said on .
Leah Thomas started the process to become a woman at 19, so under the new rules she will only be able to compete in a separate category.
Source : MatchTV
