Texas attorney general sues adult swimming group for allowing transgender competitors
The suit alleged that U.S. Masters Swimming undermined the trust of consumers through 'false, deceptive, and misleading practices' because it said the other swimmers faced what it described as an unfair disadvantage in the Spring Nationals competition in April.
U.S. Masters Swimming said in a statement that it has been cooperating fully with Attorney General Ken Paxton's investigation, which comes as a nationwide battle over the participation of transgender athletes has played out at both the state and federal levels.
'It is deeply disappointing to see our organization and individual members publicly targeted in a lawsuit that appears to be more about generating headlines than seeking justice,' the statement said.
Republicans have leveraged the issue as a fight for athletic fairness for women and girls.
Paxton said in a news release Thursday that U.S. Masters Swimming 'has deprived female participants of the opportunity to succeed at the highest levels by letting men win countless events.'
The suit said Ana Caldas placed first in the five events in the 45-49 age group, and Jennifer Rines finished ahead of dozens of women.
Rines wrote in a guest editorial in Swimming World in May that creating a separate category for transgender athletes might be the equitable solution for national-level events. But she said coming out as transgender carries the risk of losing jobs and friends.
'At what point does the level of competition justify forcing someone to out themselves or barring them from participation altogether?' she asked.
Even before the suit was filed, U.S. Masters Swimming revised its policy to bar transgender women from receiving recognition for placing in women's events, but still allowing them to compete.
But the suit said, 'This is all too little, too late.'
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
13 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hamby's basket with 4.3 seconds left gives Sparks 108-106 win over Storm 108-106 in 2 OTs
SEATTLE (AP) — Dearica Hamby's layup with 4.3 seconds left gave the Los Angeles Sparks a 108-106 win over the Seattle Storm on Friday night in the first double-overtime game in the WNBA this season. Hamby put up a contested shot but Skylar Diggins' similar shot on the other end fell off the rim as time expired. Rickea Jackson had 27 points to lead the Sparks (12-15), who have won six of seven. Kelsey Plum added 22 points and seven assists, while Hamby and Azura Stevens both had 21. Hamby also had 13 rebounds. Cameron Brink had seven points, four rebounds, three blocks, two steals and five fouls in 12 minutes in her second game back after ACL surgery last season. Nneka Ogwumike scored 37 points, one shy of her career high when she played with the Sparks nine years ago, and grabbed 12 rebounds for Seattle (16-12). She became the sixth player to reach 7,000 points for her career. Diggins had 18 points, Erica Wheeler 15 and Gabby Williams 14 points and eight assists. Ezi Magbegor had nine points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. There were 14 ties and 12 lead changes. Plum's three-point play following her 3-pointer gave the Sparks a 69-68 lead, their first since ending the first quarter up 18-16. Williams hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 106 with 16.4 seconds to play in the second overtime. Diggins tied the game at 99 with 18 seconds left in the first extra session before Plum missed at the buzzer. Jackson tied the game at 86 with 4.3 seconds left in regulation and Wheeler missed a contest 3 at the buzzer. ___ AP WNBA:
Winnipeg Free Press
13 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
It's Ledecky vs. McIntosh in the 800 freestyle, the centerpiece of the world championships
SINGAPORE (AP) — It's Katie Ledecky against Summer McIntosh in the final of the 800-meter freestyle, probably the most anticipated race at the swimming world championships in Singapore. The race is one of six finals on Saturday, but it overshadows everything else on Day 7. The championships wrap up on Sunday. Ledecky of the United States holds the world record (8 minutes, 04.12 seconds) set earlier this year. The 28-year-old American has dominated the distance for a decade and has already won gold in the 1,500 in Singapore. She also has a bronze in the 400. Ledecky, 28, has won nine Olympic gold medals — the most decorated female in history — and her first gold was in 2012 in the London Olympics in the 800. McIntosh is an 18-year-old Canadian. She's already won three golds in Singapore and she swam just a second off Ledecky's time earlier this year. If anyone is to dethrone Ledecky, it's McIntosh. This would be McIntosh's fourth gold as she goes for five individual golds in the worlds, a feat only achieved the legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps. The other five finals are: the women's 50 butterfly; the men's 50 free; the women's 200 backstroke; the men's 100 butterfly; and mixed 4×100 freestyle relay. The Americans and Australians have each won five gold medals through six days. The Americans lead in overall medals with 20, although their performance has been lackluster and slowed after much of the team came down with a case of 'acute gastroenteritis' in training camp in Thailand. __ AP sports:
Winnipeg Free Press
13 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
J.P. Crawford hits 2-run homer in 9th to lift the Mariners past the Rangers, 4-3
SEATTLE (AP) — J.P. Crawford hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 4-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night. Dominic Canzone led off the ninth with a single off closer Robert Garcia (1-6), bringing Crawford to the plate. On the third pitch Crawford saw, he sent a 95 mph fastball into the seats in right. Seattle gained another game on AL West-leading Houston and firmed its grip on the third wild-card spot by two games over the Rangers. Rowdy Tellez, Josh Smith and Marcus Semien had RBI hits in the third to give Texas a 3-1 lead. Seattle newcomer Josh Naylor had an opposite-field double in the fifth to cut it to 3-2. Eduard Bazardo (5-0) pitched the ninth for the victory. Key moment Crawford's homer in the ninth. Key stat Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Crawford had the first walkoff homer of his major league career. Up next Merrill Kelly (9-6, 3.22 ERA) was set to make his Rangers debut Saturday, with Luis Castillo (8-6, 3.19 ERA) set to start for the Mariners. ___ AP MLB:
