Tom Daley has slammed the ban on transgender swimmers from elite female competitions. Fina, swimming ’s world governing body, which also regulates diving, voted in favour of the ruling that prevents transgender athletes from competing at this level if they have gone through any part of the process of male puberty.
Speaking at the British LGBT Awards, Daley, 28, said: “I was furious. You know, like most queer people, anyone that’s told that they can’t compete or can’t do something they love just because of who they are, it’s not on. It’s something I feel really strongly about. Giving trans people the chance to share their side.”
He added: “It’s really, really difficult to figure out who you are when the public are watching and everybody is looking at you. It was a very stressful way to figure out who I am, honestly. But when you figure out who you are and you get to be comfortable with that, that’s when you start to move forward, and you can openly and outwardly and unapologetically do it, then you can really truly be free.”
Fina instead opted for an ‘open’ category for swimmers whose gender identity differs from their birth sex. However, this has been criticised by campaigners who do not believe there are enough athletes for it to be sustainable. Daley has also called for sporting governing bodies to seriously think about where some sports events are held.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in Qatar later this year. But in the country, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to seven years behind bars. Elsewhere, the controversial LIV golf series is funded by Saudi Arabia, a very controversial nation.
“There really needs to be a rethink about how certain countries are selected, and being able to create a space for them to be able to make changes,” the Brit shared. “We need to be able to make inclusions for things, to make it more accepting and safe for people.”
Daley would have relished the opportunity to compete in front of his home crowd at next month’s Commonwealth Games. However, last week he confirmed he will miss the event, after committing to spend time with his family.
Daley, who has four Commonwealth golds and one silver to his name, confirmed his absence following a post on his Instagram account. He wrote: "I won’t be competing in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
"Before the Olympics last year, my coach and I decided I would take a year out from the sport to have some time to rest and be with my family. Can’t wait to watch all my team mates kick some butt this summer!" Daley is married to partner Dustin Lance Black, after the pair tied he knot back in 2017. They also have a son Robert, who was born via a surrogate in 2018.
