Fina-lly sense has prevailed to level playing field once again

DEPENDING on which aisle of the divide you stand, for what seems the majority, sanity has finally prevailed in women’s sports.

Swimming’s world governing body, Fina, announced a ban on Sunday on biological men competing in women’s events unless they had “transitioned” before the age of 12.

In essence, it means transgender athletes who have benefited from the long-term competitive advantages of a testosterone-rich adolescence, such as increased muscle mass, lung capacity, and height, would no longer have an unfair competitive edge in women’s sports.

In enforcing the ban, FINA said it would establish a new, “open” category for athletes who identify as women but do not meet the requirement to compete against people who were female at birth.

The issue came to a head following the success of American university swimmer Lia Thomas (pictured).

A good albeit mediocre swimmer when she competed against males, she became a superstar in the pool against women after swapping genders.

Thomas went from the 554th US-ranked male in the 200 freestyle to the fastest woman in the 500 freestyle at the championships this year.

Looking at her numbers and times, there was no denying the advantages she had.

They would put her at Olympic standard.

The move by her university to ensure Thomas was allowed to compete against swimmers born female came at a cost.

Gender zealot coaches so hellbent on ensuring their woke policies were enforced, created an oppressive atmosphere within the female swim team.

They didn’t care about crushing the hopes and aspirations of those who dedicated their whole lives to the pool, instead opting to cower those who believed the decision unfair into silence.

In reality, mediocre biological males will always beat even elite female athletes.

Anyone who doubts it only needs to look at the 13 and 14-year-old boys in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle in America. All swim faster than the women’s world record holders in these events.

As I have repeatedly stated, I am all for people having the freedom to do whatever they want with their bodies. I, like most, support anyone who wants to transition from male to female or vice versa. Live and let live.

But the whole issue of transgender people in sport not only sets female-born athletes back, but it has also become one of the most toxic issues, largely fulled by those born male. Those who dare speak out like former UK Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies - are issued with vile death threats as they are labelled TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminist). They will forever be targeted for arguing for a level playing for those who compete.

It should not have been left to lone wolves to champion fairness in sport as officials feared putting their heads above the woke parapets.

Now that FINA has broken ranks, it appears the flood gates have been opened with other governing bodies such as athletics and rugby, who now say they will also review the policies.

I fully support LQBTQ rights but cannot help think in an age where equality is paramount, this is the right decision.

IT emerged this week Prince William had comforted the partner of a police officer who died after being assaulted by pro-Donald Trump rioters during the Capitol riots.

The Duke of Cambridge wrote to Sandra Garza, the girlfriend of Brian Sicknick, following the officer’s death after the January 6 insurrection last year.

The 42-year-old was one of the on-duty officers outnumbered by thousands of rioting Trump fans who stormed the US Capitol building as they attempted to overthrow democracy.

During the violence, the officer was sprayed with a chemical and collapsed a day later. He suffered a stroke and died.

In the letter, Prince William wrote to Garza: “Please forgive me if I am intruding, but I wanted to write and let you know how sorry I am about the death of your partner, Brian.”

News of the letter sparked anger among some Americans, furious at what they saw as a royal meddling in US politics.

What nonsense.

Perhaps if those angry Americans had the compassion the Prince had for a grieving family, this country would be much better off.

Trump, who has not been in touch with Sandra, could learn more than one lesson from our future king.