“Stand Up and Race”: Swimming Legend Michael Phelps Gives a Statement on Trans Athletes’ Inclusion in Paris Olympics

The swimmer and veteran Olympian, Michael Phelps, have been a ruler of his sports for years. He has been crowned as a “shark” in the water for his fierce swimming techniques. Plus, he has won 28 Olympic medals, ranking him as one of the athletes to have received the most medals.

But, he has an additional identity other than being a well-loved athlete. Phelps is also a major advocate for mental health. And, as a part of this, he has also spoken about the hot issue of trans athlete and their participation in sports.

Michael Phelps wants equal opportunities for all athletes

According to the article published by ABS CBN news, Phelps has spoken extensively about mental health. Following this article which was published on September 24, 2022, Phelps discussed about mental health. From speaking about his own struggles with anxiety to lauding Biles for taking a stance, he covered a vast amount. Also, in the conclusion, he informed that he stands in favor of having an ‘open category’ for trans athletes. He

“I think there should be three classes men, women, trans, give everyone an equal opportunity to stand up and race.”

It is noteworthy that this was not Phelps’ first monologue on the trans athlete issue. In fact, in January of 2022, he spoke up about Lia Thomas, a trans athlete. Phelps was asked about what he thought of Thomas’ success as an athlete. And, whether he thought whether it was a level-field or not for other players. Phelps answered to that by saying, “I don’t think I’ve competed in a clean field in my entire career.”

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There was a substantial amount of criticism about Lia Thomas’ participation in the women’s division. While Phelps stood up for her, he did not know how it could be accommodated in the game.

Phelps’ extensive monologue on mental health

Michael has always been one of the few athletes in the Olympic space who have talked about the mental health blues. Phelps himself has had many rocky days, fighting his anxiety and ADHD while balancing the pressure of being a huge celebrity. Thus, no wonder he is always careful about this department and was one of the few athletes to Support Simone Biles’ decision in 2021. She’d dropped out of the 2020 Olympic games owning to her anxiety and ‘twisties’.

Now the world waits to see what other known sports entities say about Phelps’ opinion. Keen interest and the wait are also building up to see how the trans athletes are included in Olympics while keeping it level for other players.

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