NCAA President Mark Emmert: No Plans to Ban Transgender Participation<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"NCAA President Mark Emmert has indicated the governing body for U.S. collegiate sports has no plan to forbid transgender participation.\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/ncaa-president-mark-emmert-says-governing-body-will-continue-to-allow-transgender-participation\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"In Letter, NCAA President Mark Emmert Says Governing Body Will Continue to Allow Transgender Participation\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"NCAA President Mark Emmert has indicated the governing body for U.S. collegiate sports has no plan to forbid transgender 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{"id":501659,"date":"2022-03-28T04:03:12","date_gmt":"2022-03-28T11:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=501659"},"modified":"2022-03-28T04:12:03","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T11:12:03","slug":"ncaa-president-mark-emmert-says-governing-body-will-continue-to-allow-transgender-participation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/ncaa-president-mark-emmert-says-governing-body-will-continue-to-allow-transgender-participation\/","title":{"rendered":"In Letter, NCAA President Mark Emmert Says Governing Body Will Continue to Allow Transgender Participation"},"content":{"rendered":"

NCAA President Mark Emmert Says Governing Body Will Continue to Allow Transgender Participation<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a recent letter sent to a former Olympian and multi-time NCAA champion who is fighting for women\u2019s rights and against the unfairness of transgender women competing against biological women, NCAA President Mark Emmert<\/strong> noted the organization he oversees has no plans to change its rules on the topic. The letter was shared with Swimming World<\/em>, with the writer requesting anonymity.<\/p>\n

The issue of transgender participation at the NCAA level became a hot-button topic this winter with University of Pennsylvania athlete Lia Thomas<\/strong> competing for the Quakers, and eventually winning an NCAA title<\/a> in the 500-yard freestyle. Before transitioning, Thomas spent three years as a member of the men\u2019s squad at Penn.<\/p>\n

The argument against transgender women competing against biological women stems from the advantages transgender athletes reap from male puberty. In addition to the strength gained from testosterone production, transgender women benefit from larger lung capacity, greater height and larger hands and feet.<\/p>\n

The NCAA initially indicated it would abide by the guidelines set forth by various national governing bodies. However, when USA Swimming developed stringent rules for participation, the NCAA backtracked on its stance.<\/p>\n

Here is what Emmert wrote in his letter.<\/p>\n

Thank you for writing to express your concerns regarding the recent policy change for transgender student-athlete participation. As the top governing board of the NCAA, the Board of Governors firmly and unequivocally supports the opportunity for transgender student-athletes to compete in college sports.<\/em><\/p>\n

We understand there are differing views on transgender student-athlete participation in sport. The NCAA’s current policy is anchored in the evolving science on this issue and in the sport-specific policies of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s national governing bodies, of international federations and of the International Olympic Committee when relevant. Further, the policy provides the Board of Governors and the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports the opportunity to review and approve each policy to ensure it aligns with the core values of the NCAA. The resulting sport-by-sport approach preserves opportunities for transgender student-athletes while balancing fairness, inclusion and safety for all who compete.<\/em><\/p>\n

The NCAA Board of Governors expects that all student-athletes will be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to ensuring that NCAA championships are open for all who earn the right to compete in them.<\/em><\/p>\n

As your letter illustrates, this is an important topic, and the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports along with the Board of Governors will continue to monitor the issue and recommend adjustments to the policy as needed.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you again for writing and sharing your concerns.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"