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EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Masters Swimming, the governing body for competitive swimming with more than 60,000 adult members, found itself at the center of a national debate last week. This discussion ignited after a transgender swimmer claimed victory in five women’s events, raising questions about fairness and inclusivity in athletics.
In response to a competitor’s request, U.S. Masters Swimming confirmed that it is currently conducting an eligibility review regarding the circumstances surrounding the recent championship. This decision follows widespread concern about the participation of transgender athletes in women’s competitions.
Wendy Enderle, a long-time swimmer from Louisiana, voiced her feelings of betrayal after discovering that a competitor she had faced for years was transgender. This realization came as a shock, particularly after reading a news report detailing the incident that unfolded during the recent Spring National Championship held in San Antonio.
Enderle expressed her disbelief, stating, “I feel betrayed. Plain and simple.” In that meet, the transgender athlete, Ana Caldas, secured gold medals in five different races, including the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events in the 45-49 age category, where Enderle participated.
The pair’s first encounter occurred in February 2024 at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha, Qatar. Enderle finished with a time of 29.19 seconds, while Caldas completed the race in 27.91 seconds. However, it was not until a USMS meet in Little Rock, Arkansas, the following January, that Enderle engaged Caldas in conversation. Despite noticing differences in Caldas’ physique, Enderle assumed she was competing against a biologically female athlete.
“I knew there was something, but I didn’t know what. I had no idea she was a trans female until the news broke last Wednesday after the meet,” Enderle explained. “I felt shocked, concerned, and even angry.” Following this revelation, Enderle filed a request for a formal eligibility review of Caldas’ participation, which she hopes will prevent the swimmer from competing at the upcoming World Aquatics Masters World Championships in Singapore.
Enderle criticized the situation, stating, “It is not right that she was competing in the women’s category, and I don’t believe she should participate in women’s events in Singapore this August.” She clarified that her objections are not aimed at excluding any individuals but are rooted in a commitment to fairness in competitive sports.
Co-swimmer Angie Griffin also expressed her concerns after racing against Caldas without prior knowledge of her birth gender. Griffin’s shocking discovery prompted her to submit a formal complaint to U.S. Masters Swimming. In her letter, she urged the organization to reconsider the outcomes of the recent Spring National Championship and reassess its gender eligibility policies.
Griffin had previously competed against Caldas in three races, finishing behind her in events like the 50-yard breaststroke and the 100-yard individual medley. She stated, “The integrity of individual competition felt compromised. Why doesn’t U.S. Masters Swimming align its standards with those of other organizations like the NCAA?”
Reflecting on her experience, Griffin questioned the transparency of the competitive landscape. She contributed her entry fees, travel expenses, and lodging with the expectation of competing in a women’s division defined by biological sex. Her disappointment stemmed from a belief that she deserved complete awareness of the competition’s makeup before participating.
Despite winning a relay event with her team, Griffin noted that the overall experience left her feeling uneasy. “That one victory did not diminish my larger concerns about the implications of competing against a transgender athlete,” she remarked.
Currently, U.S. Masters Swimming is in the process of an eligibility review regarding the events in San Antonio. However, the organization has admitted that it has never disqualified a swimmer based on gender identity. In a statement to Fox News Digital, the organization declared, “U.S. Masters Swimming has not disqualified a swimmer from official recognition based on gender identity after an event has occurred.”
The organization’s existing gender eligibility policy allows transgender athletes to compete in the category matching their gender identity without needing to provide documentation unless a review request is initiated. Nonetheless, U.S. Masters Swimming noted that incidents requiring documentation verification remain uncommon.
“If a review request is filed, our eligibility panel, which includes member leaders and subject matter experts, follows a structured process to determine if the athlete fulfills the established criteria for official recognition,” U.S. Masters Swimming explained. They emphasized that this approach safeguards athlete privacy while adhering to uniform standards for all swimmers.
Under the current policies, transgender swimmers can compete in the gender category aligned with their identity. They may also receive recognition for their achievements if they satisfy specific conditions. These include undergoing continuous and verifiable hormonal therapy for a minimum of one year, alongside maintaining testosterone serum levels below five nmol/L.
Transgender athletes who fail to meet such stipulations may still participate in the women’s division, yet their times will not count towards official results, and they will remain ineligible for official recognition of their performances.
Looking Ahead: As U.S. Masters Swimming continues its review of eligibility practices, the debate surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports remains a pressing issue. The sentiments expressed by Enderle and Griffin reflect a broader concern for fairness in competitive environments, a discussion that resonates deeply within the swimming community and beyond.
