Transgender Swimmer Challenges "Illogical" Policies by Competing Topless

In early 2025, Anne Isabella Coomes, a seasoned swimmer and lifelong champion in advocating transgender rights, boldly decided it was time once again: she was returning waterside, back in competitive swimming. At 67, Anne's love affair with swimming spans more than sixty years—a journey that has run parallel with her path in embracing her transgender identity.

Navigating new hurdles

After a short break, Anne was ready and eager. But re-entering her beloved sport presented unexpected challenges. The swim scene had changed. In 2023, Swim England—the UK's overseer in competitive swimming—shook things up with new rules affecting transgender and non-binary athletes. These changes barred trans feminine athletes from competing in women's events, tossing a big hurdle Anne's direction.

Diving back in

“I made up my mind, I was going back," Anne recalls. Yet, a conversation with Swim England's diversity and inclusion team from 2023 echoed in her thoughts. "They rang me up, informed me about their new policies. Suddenly, it felt like a mountain had landed between me and my participation dreams." Anne had previously competed under women's categories, meeting all criteria: health checks, hormonal evaluations, endless paperwork. Now, she faced two choices: compete in a newly dubbed “open” category (which felt like a renamed men's league) or hang up her competitive aspirations. Then Anne pictured a different course altogether: using her platform as a protest. Compete topless, clad in "male" swimwear, exposing just how contradictory these rules could be.

Making waves

"I needed answers from Swim England about what I could wear," Anne laughs. "In swimming, your gear can make or break you. Their response was odd—they wanted me in female swimwear in an open category, saying my female features were suddenly an issue.” Anne's first 2025 race was anything but usual. Her statement was as bold as it was clear. "There's a morality clause," she explains, "dictating which skin parts need covering. I followed their rules, only doing so exposed how truly nonsensical they are." Though Swim England told her she didn't need pre-approval if she wore male swimwear, they warned she might get disqualified. Anne wasn't deterred. Winning wasn't her only goal. Her real mission? Shining a light on transgender athletes' rights.

Advocating change

"They're barking up a ridiculous tree," Anne states boldly. "Imagine being a trans woman wearing women's gear, yet racing men. That's what I'm highlighting." Swimming remains her stage, her voice in advocating trans rights. "Swimming lets me magnify these issues," Anne points out. "Trans rights are facing backlash globally; raising awareness—to me, it's vital." Anne stands firm, both in her identity and as an athlete. She has sought legal advice since these new rules came about, recognizing her potentially unique position as perhaps one-of-a-kind: an open trans woman competitor. "Honestly, all this attention from Swim England? It's almost flattering," Anne chuckles, "but underlines how ridiculous all this truly seems. What if they didn't know I was trans? Would their categorization differ?" Anne firmly believes society's focus on transgender athletes misses wider issues. "There are bigger things we should be addressing. Where trans individuals compete? It's not where attention should solely lie." As Anne continues swimming and championing her cause, she holds on hope. Hope that her actions will drive real change—not just paving better paths in sports but making a meaningful difference in fairness and rights globally.