– It feels sad. I have been bidding on Voss for four years, and looked forward to being on Veko and celebrating with those I have known for several years. But I can not, because of the new rules, says Sasha Vales Toledano. She was born and raised in France, but has been bidding on Voss since 2018. Until this year, she has been able to compete in the women’s class, but towards the end of 2021, the rules have changed. From this year there are two classes. Open class, and women’s class. In the women’s class, one must be a biological woman, ie become a girl. It was Avisa Hordaland that first mentioned the case. Mentally demanding Sasha has participated in kayak competitions for several years, and this is the first time she can not participate in this class. She has moved to Paris, where there are not as great opportunities for kayaking down steep rapids and rivers. PRIDE: Ekstremsportveko arranges a pride parade in the event where they aim to “lift sexuality and gender diversity higher on the agenda in sports and in Voss”. Photo: Screenshot Sasha thinks mental strength is very important when competing in a kayak. – It is completely something else to come to a competition, and feel welcome, and not ask yourself other questions than whether one can do well today. I come to a competition and wonder if I can compete, I wonder if I am made fun of, and if I am pointed at, says Sasha. Veko: Not our decision Daily camp in Ekstremsportveko, Kjetil Kriken, says that there is not much they can do with the rules, as they only follow those who are seen by AWP Kayak. – The background for the decision can not be commented on, says Kriken. – What do they say to those who think this is transphobic? – This is about feelings, and we have a great understanding that people can feel hurt and offended. It seems to me in Ekstremsportveko is a shame, says Kriken. VEKO: Daily leader in Ekstrempsortveko, Kjetil Kriken, says they do not make the rules for who can compete in each class. Photo: Arne Flatin / news The president of AWP, Michele Ramazza, tells news that they have a victory that they follow the IOC’s guidelines for kayak competition. These guidelines should be inclusive, but also fair. – It is not easy to put those principles together. Physical strength is a fairly important factor, but this is sports-dependent, he says. – It is important for sports to have respect for diversity The Norwegian Sports Confederation says that they do not have their own rules for gender categorization, but they have a number of pieces of advice, which are primarily about grassroots sports. – Our advice in grassroots sports is that people can participate in the gender category they prefer to define themselves as. Something other than that removes the basis for sports enjoyment, says Håvard Øvregård, who is a senior adviser in the Norwegian Sports Confederation. DIVERSITY: Håvard Øvregård in the Norwegian Sports Confederation thinks one must have respect for people’s diversity in gender identity in sports. Photo: Anders Fehn / news Øvregård says that there is a difference between grassroots sports and top sports. There, the international federation arranges the sport that defines the framework. He emphasizes that most sports have gender classes, but that it can be demanding when looking at gender as a one-sided factor. – It is important that sport has respect for diversity in gender identity and gender expression, and we must acknowledge that there are challenges associated with us sport having these binary gender categories, says Øvregård.
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Sasha (25) is not allowed to participate in the women’s class at Ekstremsportveko because she is a trans woman – news Vestland
