Elis Lundholm competes as first transgender athlete at Winter Olympics
A Swedish skier has become the first transgender competitor at the Winter Olympics, participating in the women’s freestyle moguls event under current International Olympic Committee rules, reports BritPanorama.
Elis Lundholm, who was assigned female at birth but identifies as male, debuted on the slopes of Livigno on Tuesday, finishing in 29th place with a score of 12.05 points, a result marred by a mistake during qualifying.
Competing in the women’s division at age 23, Lundholm remains the only openly transgender athlete at this year’s Games. His performance contrasted sharply with that of Australia’s Charlotte Wilson, who placed 28th with a score of 49.95 points. Despite the setback, Lundholm has the opportunity to advance through the qualification system, with additional qualifying runs scheduled.
The second qualifying round is set for Wednesday morning, with the top ten finishers from this round joining those already qualified for the finals later that afternoon. This gives Lundholm a chance to compete for Olympic medals shortly after his next run.
Having acknowledged the debate surrounding his participation, Lundholm stated in an interview with Swedish broadcaster SVT, “I’ve always been treated well. I came out and identified as a man. But I compete against women because they have the same qualifications as me. And that’s okay with everyone.”
The IOC’s 2021 Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations enabled Lundholm’s participation, allowing transgender athletes to compete once approved by their national sporting bodies.
The Swedish Olympic Committee and Swedish Ski Association have expressed support for Lundholm, with Robert Hansson, the sports director for moguls, confirming that measures are in place to combat online abuse directed at the athlete. “Elis is very confident in himself and in what he’s decided on and what he stands for. It’s going to take a lot before he’s going to be shaken by this,” Hansson remarked.
As the Games unfold, Lundholm’s participation not only highlights the evolving landscape of competitive sports but also underscores the ongoing discussions about inclusion and fairness, reminding us of the complexities inherent in the pursuit of sporting excellence.
