The Swimming World Cup has decided to cancel its transgender category, citing the absence of participants in the newly introduced division.
Following the controversial victory by biological male Lia Thomas in the NCAA women’s swimming category, World Aquatics (the global governing body for swimming) announced that it will be barring trans-identifying swimmers from competing in the category of their self-identified gender. As a compromise towards disgruntled trans-activists, World Aquatics announced that it would pioneer an “open” category for transgender athletes to compete in.
Now, it appears that this category will be put on hold after no athletes signed up to participate. World Aquatics has revealed that no entries were received for the open category events at the Swimming World Cup event in Berlin this year.
“Following the close of registration for the open category competitions at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup – Berlin 2023 meet scheduled for 6-8 October, World Aquatics can confirm that no entries have been received for the open category events,” World Aquatics said.
The idea of a comprising “transgender league” has been frequently discussed among those on both sides of the issue of trans athletes in sports. However, the lack of competitors in World Aquatics’ open category is not entirely a surprise.
Most female athletes have no desire to compete against males, regardless of their “identity,” because it is unlikely they will be able to overcome the physical differences between the two sexes. Males who identify as females would presumably prefer to compete amongst women so that they have a physical advantage and competitive edge, and thus, a greater chance of winning a competition.
World Aquatics has announced that it will attempt to implement an open category once again at masters events for swimmers over the age of 35. However, it remains to be seen if such a category will have any success.
