Agree, but it's hard to calculate a time handicap
by SixShutouts66 (2021-12-24 14:00:20)

In reply to: The answer is “graded” competition  posted by fortune_smith


The problem is that Lia has lost some ability/time to the previous year before she had hormone treatments; so you can't use her previous times (as a male) as a male as a starting point. That is, if the women's world record is 30 seconds slower than the men's, it's not fair to add all of that 30 seconds difference to her time as a female swimmer since she is swimming slower as a female.

Neutral observers also realize that she has advantages as a transgender competitor (height, body structures); so some equalizing time offset is needed. The question is what should it be.

Perhaps, your hint at letting them compete, but not for championships is necessary. I know I would be pilloried for my opinion that a transgender person is male or female and choosing to live their life as a member of the other sex, and there are limitations they have to deal with. Perhaps I'll change with more knowledge or the grace of God.


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