Parents of young female athletes raised concerns after a 50-year-old transgender swimmer, Melody Wiseheart, participated in women’s events and used the locker room with children at the 2023 Trojan Cup in Barrie, Ontario.
Wiseheart competed in various events, including the women’s 1500m freestyle for athletes 16 and older, where she placed second.
Some parents expressed discomfort, citing confusion for the kids.
Swimming Canada stated that changing room access aligns with facility policies and applicable laws, emphasizing compliance with human rights policies.
Swim Ontario clarified that adults may compete against minors in an “open category” based on entry times.
World Aquatics previously restricted male-to-female transgender athletes from women’s events in 2022, allowing transition before age 12 or early puberty.
