Sasha (25) is not allowed to participate in the women’s class: – Hurting – VG

Kayaker Sasha Vales Toledano (25) is upset that she is not allowed to be quiet in the women’s class during Extreme Sports Week. The International Kayak Federation does not think it would be fair – because she is a trans woman.

– It feels very unfair and hurtful. Unfair because there are no good reasons to leave me out. Hurtful because it feels like trans women like myself are not worth the effort. It would not take much to make other rules. It is painful to be treated like this, to be told that you are not worth it, she tells VG.

Vales Toledano was born and raised in France, but has lived in Voss for the past four years. With a heart for kayaking, she has participated in the women’s class during Ekstremsportveko before, but last year the rules were changed.

– Two principles

Now there is an open class and a women’s class. The 25-year-old is not welcome in the latter. Only biological women are allowed to participate.

When asked what the reason is, Ekstremsportveko further refers to The Association of Whitewater Professionals (AWP) – the international kayak association – which defines the rules used in the competition. The president of the AWP, Michele Ramazza, says they have formulated their rules according to IOC guidelines.

– They say that there are two principles that must be followed: First that there is justice for all, no one should get an advantage. So try to be as inclusive as possible. That balance is not so simple, he says to VG.

Vales Toledano believes the AWP leadership is a coward who fails to formulate other rules.

– I think it’s about political courage. There are many sports organizations that treat trans athletes well, but who are criticized for it. There is a lot of transphobia and many who do not want us in sports. If you want to be inclusive, it’s pretty easy in today’s world. You just need to be able to meet the criticism, she says.

It was Avisa Hordaland that first mentioned the case.

The kayaker also claims “it is a lie” that the AWP follows the IOC’s guidelines.

In a column in Avisa Hordaland, written by Vales Toledano and two friends, they refer to the guidelines’ principles of “fairness, inclusion and non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender variations”.

– AWP tells all trans women that they do not belong in the women’s class. It should be clear how the IOC’s rules can not be applied, and therefore we called it laziness. Everyone who has read them should understand, says Vales Toledano.

She believes that she does not necessarily have the advantage of being a trans woman in kayaking, and points out that more shorter, lighter women claim the top. Ramazza is of a different opinion.

In kayaking, men, who have more power, can perform 10-20 percent better than women. Strength and muscle are one of the most important skills for moving forward in the kayak. Therefore, it would not be fair to allow non-biological women to participate in the same class as biological women, the AWP president believes.

Trying to be inclusive

He defends the decision to have an open class and a women’s class.

– We try to be more inclusive by removing the men’s category and replacing it with an open class. It is a compromise between justice and inclusion, says Ramazza.

He claims that several biological women have previously complained that it is unfair for trans women to participate in the same class as them.

– I understand that there are emotions involved. Both with Sasha and with the women who do not think it is fair if she participates. It must be fair to everyone, and I hope she will participate in the open class, Ramazza concludes.

– Do not stand alone

For Vales Toledano, the whole situation is perceived as very painful. Then it’s nice to get support from some of your loved ones. The two friends who wrote the article with her have decided not to register for this year’s Extreme Sports Week.

– They show that I am not alone, that it is not just me who thinks this is transphobic. When you get involved like this, there is a greater chance that you will not be allowed to compete yourself. This is true friendship and sportsmanship, says Vales Toledano.

– For many, this issue is new. Do you understand that some people find it difficult to define rules?

– Yes and no. It can be difficult to make rules without mistakes. What is not difficult is to make a proper attempt to make it. In large unions, there are good examples of rules that work. There were trans athletes in the Olympics, and if they have managed it, others can. There are also many resources on the internet and federations that are transparent about how they solve it. Ekstremsportveko knows me and could be contacted. Then I would have gladly advised them. But they did not, she concludes.