World Aquatics Bans Transgender Swimmer Ana Caldas Five Years for Gender Test Refusal

Ana Caldas, a transgender swimmer who competed in the women's 45-49 age group, has been banned from World Aquatics until 2030 and stripped of all results from June 2022 to October 2024 after refusing to undergo a chromosomal sex verification test. Caldas argued that such tests are invasive, expensive, and not medically necessary, noting that her insurance does not cover them and that no U.S. state or national recreational swimming bodies require these tests. The suspension follows controversy when Caldas won five gold medals at a U.S. Masters Swimming event, sparking criticism from competitors and a formal investigation by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. World Aquatics cited violations of its Integrity Code and eligibility policies, which now restrict transgender women's participation to those who transitioned before puberty. Supporters of the ban, including fellow competitors, praised the decision as upholding fairness and integrity in women's sports. Caldas accepted the suspension, stating that protecting her medical privacy was worth the five-year penalty.