“I Am Personally Opposed”: 9x Olympic Gold Medalist Calls Out FINA for Their Ban on Transgender Swimmers

Ian Thorpe is among the most decorated swimmer from Australia. The Olympic swimming champion has won nine medals at the games. Five are gold, three are silver, and one is bronze. Thorpe began swimming at a young age and is the youngest male athlete ever to represent Australia at an international event. In 1998, he also became the youngest-ever male world champion.

After retiring from the sport, Thorpe has remained in the public eye. He has appeared on various television shows. In 2014, Thorpe also came out as gay. He’s been vocal about issues the LGBTQI community faces. Thorpe recently gave his opinion on FINA’s decision to ban transgender swimmers.

Ian Thorpe calls out FINA

Fédération Internationale de Natation, also known as the International Swimming Federation, announced that transgender women who transitioned after 12 won’t compete in women’s events. The decision didn’t please Thorpe. “This is a very complicated issue, I can’t deny that, and I am personally opposed to the position Fina has taken on this,” said the Olympic gold medalist.

The Australian swimming legend said he supported fairness in competition. However, the Olympic medalist feels FINA’s decision doesn’t honor equality in sports. Thorpe said, “In this instance, they’ve actually got it wrong.” The five-time gold medalist also said FINA’s ban on trans athletes based on the age of transition is a “temporary solution.”

Thorpe also said statistically, “it’s highly unlikely” for a trans athlete to win an Olympic medal because the transitioning process is “tough,”. However, Thorpe pointed out the need for expert opinion on trans athletes. “When it comes to the elite level, there needs to be a sensible conversation.“

READ MORE: “Pitch to Barry Bonds, Guard Michael Jordan..at Their Best”: Michael Phelps Cited Sports Legends to Justify His Decision to Compete Ian Thorpe

The Olympian said such a conversation should include “Endocrinologists, psychologists, physiologists – everyone that actually may have an opinion in this space.”

The achievements of the legendary swimmer

Ian Thorpe won three golds and two silver medals in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. At Athens 2004, Thorpe won two golds, one silver, and one bronze medal. He also has 13 World championships and nine Commonwealth games medals.

While Thorpe retired in 2007, the Olympic legend tried to come back in 2012. Although Thorpe performed well in the Australian Olympia Trails initially, he couldn’t qualify. The Australian tried to qualify for the 2013 World Championships as well. However, after suffering a shoulder injury, Thorpe retired for good.

Watch this story – Swimming Legend Michael Phelps’ Top 5 Iconic Career Races

Only time will tell how FINA’s decision affects the sport. What do you make of FINA’s ban on trans swimmers?