Caitlyn Jenner and Sharron Davies back transgender swimming ban

Former athletes Sharron Davies and Caitlyn Jenner have backed FINA’s decision to ban transgender swimmers from competing in women’s races if they went through male puberty.

Under new FINA rules, transgender swimmers are required to have completed their transition by the age of 12 in order to be able to compete in women’s competitions, while an ‘open’ category will be established for transgender athletes.

A statement from FINA has now stated that transgender athletes will be able to compete only if ‘they can establish to FINA’s comfortable satisfaction that they have not experienced any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 (of puberty) or before age 12, whichever is later’.

British swimmer Davies, who won an Olympic silver medal in 1980, is pleased with the decision, tweeting: ‘I can’t tell you how proud I am of my sport @fina & @fina_president for doing the science, asking the athletes/coaches and standing up for fair sport for females. Swimming will always welcome everyone no matter how you identify but fairness is the cornerstone of sport.’

Jenner, who came out as a trans woman in 2015 after winning Olympic gold in the decathlon in 1976, has also backed the move.

‘It worked!’ Jenner tweeted. ‘I took a lot of heat – but what’s fair is fair! If you go through male puberty you should not be able to take medals away from females. Period.

‘Thanks to all of you that stood with me as I talked about what should be obvious (not anti-lgbt but common sense). I am glad the international athletics community is speaking out. I will continue to speak out, act and advocate, for women in sports.’

However, the decision has been criticised by some, with Human Rights Campaign (HRC) disappointed with the move.

HRC interim president Joni