A 50-year-old transgender swimmer was allowed to compete against teenage girls at an event in Canada; Her parents, horrified, built a makeshift tent with towels to protect girls as young as 8 in the locker room.
Melody Wiseheart, who once competed under the name Nicholas Cepeda, sparked outrage while competing during the Trojan Cup in Barrie, Ontario.
“The girls were terrified,” an unidentified father of one of the teens told the Toronto Sun of having to share a locker room with the much older trans swimmer.
“It’s all very confusing for the kids,” said another parent. “No one feels comfortable.
“Everyone accepts everyone, but swimming against our kids and being in a locker room with them is not appropriate.”
Wiseheart, a professor at York University, participated in several events during the first three days of December, including the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle for athletes 16 years and older, in which she placed second.
He has reportedly been competing against girls since 2019.
Melody Wiseheart, 50, once competed under the name Nicholas Cepeda. Wise Heart Melody/Linkedin
Wiseheart was also seen entering the locker room before the event, and at least one concerned parent said he called local police.
The Barrie Police Department acknowledged to the Sun that “they were later informed that the matter had resolved itself and we did not attend.”
But parents said they still had questions about the incident.
“The girls were terrified,” one parent said of Wiseheart (above) sharing the pool and locker room with the girls. RebeldeNews
“We have no idea why it’s allowed,” one parent said of Wiseheart competing against girls.
“We know it’s not fair to the girls who train in their sport and some of whom hope to get scholarships.”
In statements, Swimming Canada and Swim Ontario, which sanctioned the competition, defended Wiseheart’s participation.
“In partnership with Swimming Canada, Swim Ontario has a robust system of policies, procedures and rules that support our member clubs in providing a competitive experience that is safe, welcoming and inclusive for all participants,” the organization said.
It noted that Swim Ontario “investigated concerns related to an adult competing against swimmers between the ages of 12 and 14 during a recent meet hosted by the Richmond Hill Aquatic Club” and determined that “RHAC acted appropriately in hosting the meet.”
The organization explained that the athletes are classified by entry time, regardless of their age,
It also said access to locker rooms “is determined by facility/municipal policies in accordance with applicable law.”
“Swimming Canada and Swim Ontario believe that swimming is for everyone…people of all shapes, sizes, genders, beliefs and backgrounds should have the opportunity to swim to the best of their ability…with the expectation that our registrants will Treat each other with respect and dignity. and keep our sporting environment free of harassment and abuse.”
“This is crazy,” one parent said in response. “None of this adds up.”
World Aquatics, the sport’s international governing body, effectively banned male-to-female transgender athletes from competing in women’s events last year after updating its policy to allow only swimmers who transitioned before age 12 or in the early stages of puberty.
The Post has contacted Wiseheart for comment.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn