Swimming’s world Governing body, Fina, will ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s elite races
The new policy passed with 71% of the vote from 152 Fina members and was announced at the Extraordinary Congress 2022 in Budapest.
The new ban applies to athletes who have gone through any stage of male puberty.
This means if transgender athletes want to compete then they must have transitioned by the age of 12.
The sporting body will now work on creating an ‘open’ category for transgender athletes, with a team working on this immediately.
Fina’s President Husain Al-Musallam says they’re working to “protect the rights of athletes to compete” but also “protect competitive fairness”.
Fina’s Executive Director Brent Nowicki says the policy is “comprehensive, science-based, and inclusive, and, importantly, Fina’s approach emphasised competitive fairness.”
Transgender participation has been a contentious topic in all sports around the world. Most recently, American swimmer Lia Thomas’ participation divided communities.
Thomas has consistently expressed a desire to compete but this new policy will block Thomas from participating in the female category.
While some say Transgender participation is unfair for competing athletes, others argue it’s discrimination to not let transgender athletes compete in women’s events.
For now, this new policy stands as the most historic rule and regulation on transgender participation.
In a closed-door vote, Senator Thune takes on a pivotal leadership role as Senate Republicans look to the future.
In a significant shift within Senate Republican leadership, Senator John Thune of South Dakota has been elected as the new Senate GOP leader, taking over from long-time leader Senator Mitch McConnell.
The decision came after a secret ballot vote among GOP members, marking the end of McConnell’s influential tenure.
Thune, who has served as Senate Minority Whip, is widely recognized for his strategic acumen and steady approach to party leadership.
His appointment signals both continuity and potential change as Senate Republicans prepare to navigate a challenging legislative environment and upcoming elections.
With McConnell stepping back, questions arise about how Thune’s leadership will shape GOP strategies on key issues, from fiscal policy to judicial appointments.
Analysts note that his leadership style is expected to maintain unity while possibly adopting fresh tactics to strengthen the party’s legislative influence.
As Thune steps into this prominent role, Republicans and observers alike will watch how his leadership influences the Senate’s dynamics and the broader political landscape.
The transition reflects a pivotal moment for the GOP as it positions itself for future electoral and legislative battles.
The Wall Street Journal is experimenting with AI to summarise its articles.
Readers will see a “Key Points” box at the top of select stories, featuring AI-generated summaries that are checked by editors. This new feature is being tested to assess reader engagement, offering bullet points that highlight key information.
The box includes a note explaining the use of AI, as WSJ explores new ways to add value for subscribers. Other news outlets, like USA Today, are also testing similar AI tools, though some caution readers to consult full articles due to potential AI errors.