‘Can’t cheat, won’t compete,’ says Riley Gaines after World Aquatic’s first open, gender-neutral category races canceled with no entries received

The governing body of international water sports canceled its first open category events after no swimmers signed up to compete in the essentially genderless category.

“Following the close of registration for the open category competitions at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup – Berlin 2023 meet scheduled for 6-8 October, World Aquatics can confirm that no entries have been received for the open category events,” the organization announced. 

The World Cup in Berlin is one of three qualifying events for the World Aquatics Championships in Doha and the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to Reuters. 

World Aquatics announced the plan to trial an open category in July, after voting to ban biological men from competing in the women’s category. 

The new policy was intended to allow transgender athletes to compete in swimming, while protecting fairness in the women’s division.  

“This is a very complex topic,” World Aquatics president Al-Musallam said. “But I am delighted to tell you today that we are now making plans for the first trial of an open category, and we hope to be able to confirm all the details soon. Our sport must be open to everybody.” 

The World Cup in Berlin was intended to be the pilot for the new category, with 50m and 100m races in all strokes included. 

Riley Gaines, former NCAA All-American swimmer for the University of Kentucky, took to social media to question why no one signed up. 

“Very revealing as to what the real motivation is,” Gaines posted. “Can’t cheat, won’t compete.” 

Despite the lack of interest, World Aquatics has announced its intentions to try again.  

“The World Aquatics Open Category Working Group will continue its work and engagement with the aquatic’s community on Open Category events,” the organization said. “Even if there is no current demand at the elite level, the working group is planning to look at the possibility of including Open Category races at Masters events in the future.”