Transgender Swimmer Banned for Refusing Gender Test
Stripped of 2022-2024 results, Caldas won five golds before ban under World Aquatics’ policy
An American transgender female swimmer who sparked controversy by winning five gold medals at a single competition has been banned from competing for five years after refusing a gender verification test.
According to foreign media reports, including Fox News on the 27th, World Aquatics recently imposed a five-year competition ban on Ana Caldas, 47, an American transgender female swimmer, and stripped her of all results from June 2022 to October 2024.
World Aquatics revised its gender eligibility policy in 2022, restricting female category participation to women who completed their gender transition before reaching puberty stage 2 or before age 12.
Following this, an investigation was launched into Caldas, who refused the gender verification test, arguing it was not covered by insurance and medically unnecessary.
Ana Caldas. /Daily Mail
Caldas stated, “No U.S. state requires genetic testing for recreational sports events,” adding, “I understand and accept the outcome. I am willing to pay the price for all women who do not wish to undergo invasive testing.”
Caldas sparked controversy last May by winning five gold medals in the women’s 45–49 age group at the US Masters competition in Texas.
Wendy Enderly, who competed against Caldas at the time, said, “I felt betrayed because I had no knowledge of Caldas’s birth gender,” and added, “I applaud this decision. I am glad women who were forced to compete against men disguised as women can reclaim their rightful places and awards.”
