Swimmer Hannah Caldas has been banned from World Aquatics competitions for five years after refusing to undergo a gender-verification test — a decision she says she stands by to protect her medical privacy.
Caldas, also known as Ana, competed at the 2024 World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha, where she placed first in the women’s 100m freestyle in her age group. She also won multiple events at the US Masters Swimming (USMS) Spring Nationals in San Antonio, Texas, in April.
Her participation drew political scrutiny, particularly from anti-trans Republican Governor Ken Paxton, who launched an investigation into USMS, claiming the inclusion of transgender athletes violated Texas’ Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Paxton described the governing body’s inclusive policies as “insane” and said they had “cowered to radical activists pushing gender warfare.”
Caldas Deemed Eligible in the US, Suspended Internationally
In August 2024, USMS declared Caldas eligible to compete in the female category, stating that “the documents the swimmer submitted all demonstrate that she was assigned the female sex at birth and that she identifies as female,” despite having competed in the men’s category between 2002 and 2004.
However, World Aquatics has taken a different stance. The global governing body ruled that Caldas’ refusal to undergo gender verification testing was grounds for a five-year suspension, lasting until October 2030. In addition, her results from June 2022 to October 2024 have been disqualified.
According to a press release from New York Aquatics, Caldas refused the test on the grounds that chromosomal testing is “invasive and expensive.”
“My insurance refuses to cover such a test because it is not medically necessary,” she explained.
“No US state requires genetic tests for recreational sports events like these. Not even US Masters Swimming, the national governing body for recreational adult swimming in the US, demands this for any of its events.”
“It’s a Price I Am Happy to Pay”
Caldas issued a firm and emotional statement accepting the consequences of her decision:
“I understand and accept the consequences of not complying with a World Aquatics investigation.
But if a five-year suspension is the price I must pay to protect my most intimate medical information, then it’s a price I am happy to pay — for myself, and for every other woman who does not want to submit to highly invasive medical testing just to swim in an older-adult competition.”
She added:
“I have been swimming in sanctioned events for over 30 years and am prepared to let it all go.
My life and privacy have been invaded enough. It is time to prioritise my health and personal safety.”
Wider Context: Trans Athletes and World Aquatics Policy
In 2022, World Aquatics implemented new policies banning transgender women from elite female competitions if they had experienced any part of male puberty.
This policy led to the high-profile ban of Lia Thomas, the former University of Pennsylvania swimmer who made history in 2022 by becoming the first openly trans woman to win an NCAA swimming championship.
Thomas later filed a challenge against World Aquatics with the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. However, the court dismissed her case, stating she was no longer a member of USA Swimming and therefore not directly affected by the policy.
In a statement following the ruling, World Aquatics called it a “major step forward in our efforts to protect women’s sports.”
