Controversial transgender swimmer banned from competition until 2030
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A transgender swimmer who was at the center of a national debate earlier this year has been banned from World Aquatics until 2030 and stripped of all competition results from June 2022 until October 2024 for refusing to take a gender verification test.
Main Caldas listed by Aquatics Integrity Unit list of suspended persons This week for breaching clauses in the World Aquatics integrity code relating to providing false information and defining criteria for the men’s and women’s competition categories.
World Aquatics changed its gender eligibility policy in 2022, limiting the participation of transgender women in the female category to those who transition before age 12 or before reaching Tanner Stage 2 of Puberty.
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General view of the World Aquatics Men’s Water Polo World Cup 2nd Qualifier Final Match Romania – China held at Schwimm- und Sprunghalle im Europa-Sportpark (SSE) in Berlin, Germany on May 07, 2023. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Caldas came under national scrutiny after winning five gold medals at the US Masters Swimming event in San Antonio, Texas, in May, prompting backlash from some of Caldas’ rivals. Caldas won first place in five races in the women’s 45-49 age category, including the 50 and 100 yard breaststroke, freestyle and 100 yard individual medley.
Louisiana woman and longtime swimmer Wendy Enderle, who competed against Caldas in that event and in previous events, said she felt “betrayed” because she was never informed of Caldas’ birth gender.
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On Thursday, Enderle released a statement to Fox News Digital addressing World Aquatics’ decision to ban Caldas by 2030.
“I commend World Aquatics for their decision to uphold fairness and integrity in swimming competitions. I feel vindicated and validated not only for myself, but also for all the girls and women in our sport who have to compete against men posing as women,” Enderle said. he said.
“Getting a podium place in any position at the Masters World Championships is a big deal! I feel sorry for the women who were denied this opportunity, with Ana/Hannah/Hugo taking three podium places in Doha in 2024. I’m glad the women who lost out on this opportunity are given the places and rewards they deserve.”
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Members of Team United States jump into the pool before the Women’s Water Polo Quarterfinal match between the United States and Japan on day nine of the Singapore 2025 World Aquatics Championships at the OCBC Aquatics Center in Singapore on July 19, 2025. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the USMS in July over the San Antonio incident.
“I am suing US Masters Swimming for engaging in illegal practices by allowing men to compete in women’s events,” Paxton said in a post on X announcing the lawsuit. “The organization has cowed down to radical activists promoting gender war, and this lawsuit will hold the USMS accountable for its actions.”
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