Openly transgender swimmer at Harvard believed to be a first

[damnedifIknow]

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Schuyler Bailar was a star recruit for the women’s swimming team at Harvard University, a tough competitor with a shot at winning titles. But Bailar is opting to forgo such honors to join the men’s team instead, competing as the first openly transgender swimmer in the NCAA.

“It’s half terrifying and half exciting,” said Bailar, a 19-year-old from McLean, Virginia. “I’m just kind of embracing it with open arms.”

Bailar, an incoming freshman, came out as transgender this year after already being recruited for the women’s team. Initially he planned to stay on that team but had mixed feelings about it — he wanted to swim, but he also wanted to embrace his identity."

The Harvard women’s coach saw that Bailar was torn and helped orchestrate another option: In a surprise move, the university offered Bailar a spot on either the men’s or women’s team.

“I was blown away,” Bailar said. “I had no idea how to respond.”

“I just want to be a boy,” he remembers thinking. “I can’t live this in-between thing anymore.”

By then, men’s coach Kevin Tyrrell had already gathered the team to talk about adding Bailar.

“We talked about how we’re all about character and values, and I kind of gave my two cents: If we’re going to say that we care about others, then this is something we should consider,” Tyrrell said. “And basically all the guys said, within 15 seconds, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.'”

http://college.usatoday.com/2015/06/30/first-transgender-swimmer-at-harvard/

[NV Whino]

1. Well, yay, Harvard!

[damnedifIknow]

2. You bet

[jimlup]

3. It raises some interesting technical questions

Had it been the other direction (significantly more unlikely to occur) I suspect it wouldn't have been done.

[LisaL]

4. Why would it be more unlikely to occur?

And, yes, biological male would have an unfair advantage over biological females when it comes to sports.

[jimlup]

7. I suspect that a transgender male to female

would be somewhat less likely to pursue competative sports. Or maybe it is simply that if they were strong enough to recieve a scholarship from Harvard, they would not risk it by transistioning then. The case of Caitlyn (Bruce) Jenner comes interestingly to mind as a recent example.

Another example comes to mind. There was an 800m runner who was biologically trans. Meaning that she was biologically both if I recall the details correctly. She ran as a woman but was disqualified from some events. I don't recall how the case was eventually resolved but I do remember feeling very badly for her.

[HereSince1628]

5. Yes, steroids are performance enhancing drugs...my guess is this swimmer

will run into some technical issues governing PEDs, if interested in physically transitioning.

[LisaL]

6. Transitioning from male to female is not a problem.

According to the article, her times were at the top if she stayed a female. Not so great as a male. So he didn't gain any advantage by transitioning from female to a male.
It's the other way around (from male to female) that would give someone an advantage.

[AngryAmish]

8. I think he is going to take testosterone to aid in transition

While I am ignorant of the amount of androgens taken, it is likely to make him piss hot on a drug test, if taken.