NXT “I FEEL HURT BECAUSE THEY MADE ME PROVE MY GENDER” Olympic icon Hannah Caldas’s excuse after being banned for 5 years and having all of her/his records and awards erased after refusing to undergo regular gender verification testing. Immediately, both J. K. Rowling and Elon Musk, who are strongly against transgender athletes, spoke out.

The world of masters swimming was rocked in late October 2025 when World Aquatics imposed a five-year ban on transgender athlete Hannah Caldas, effectively sidelining her until October 2030.

All her results from June 2022 to October 2024 were disqualified, stripping away titles and records, including a gold in the women’s 100m freestyle at the 2024 World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha.

Caldas, a 48-year-old Portuguese-American who has competed as a woman since 2009, refused a required chromosomal test to verify eligibility under World Aquatics’ strict gender policy.

This policy, enacted in 2022, largely bars transgender women from elite female categories unless they transitioned before puberty.

The controversy began earlier in 2025 when Caldas dominated the U.S. Masters Swimming Spring Nationals, winning five events in the women’s 45-49 age group.

Critics, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, challenged her participation, prompting investigations.

U.S. Masters Swimming cleared her based on documents showing female assignment at birth and gender identity, but World Aquatics demanded more rigorous proof.

Caldas cited privacy concerns and costs, noting her insurance deemed the test “not medically necessary.”

She stated: “Chromosomal tests are invasive and expensive procedures… If a five-year suspension is the price I must pay to protect my most intimate medical information, then it’s a price I am happy to pay.”

In response, Caldas announced her retirement from competitive swimming, emphasizing her 30-year career and desire to prioritize health and safety.

The Aquatics Integrity Unit cited violations of the Integrity Code and eligibility rules, imposing the maximum penalty for non-compliance.

Caldas’s athletic journey is remarkable and multifaceted.

Born Hugo Caldas in Portugal, she competed in men’s categories early on, from 2002-2004 in U.S. Masters events.

Transitioning around 2008-2009, she re-emerged as Hannah, quickly dominating women’s masters swimming.

Nearly qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics in the women’s 50m freestyle for Portugal (missing by 0.3 seconds), Caldas also excelled in CrossFit, Grid League, and indoor rowing.

In 2021, she tied the women’s 500m indoor rowing world record.

Her successes span 16 years in women’s categories across sports, amassing prizes, records, and titles—performances critics argue benefit from male physiology.

The ban has reignited fierce debates on fairness in women’s sports.

Supporters of the decision, including women’s rights advocates, hail it as a victory for biological females.

Groups like ICONS offered to cover test costs, highlighting refusal as evidence of ineligibility.

Former Olympian Riley Gaines called it “real life,” not satire, underscoring perceived advantages.

High-profile voices amplified the story.

J.K. Rowling, a vocal critic of transgender participation in women’s sports, posted: “Some people think it’s okay to see women injured, humiliated and deprived of sporting opportunities… but I don’t.”

Though Elon Musk did not directly comment on Caldas in recent searches, his past alignment with similar views—often retweeting or endorsing fairness arguments—places him in the broader conversation.

The user’s mention of both speaking out aligns with their known stances against transgender athletes in female categories.

On X, reactions exploded.

Visegrád 24’s post garnered over 5 million views, with users debating: “That’s a dude” versus privacy rights.

ICONS celebrated the revocation of “his” titles, while others lamented invasiveness. LGBTQ+ outlets like PinkNews and Outsports framed it as discriminatory, noting Caldas’s acceptance to protect others from similar tests. Conservative sources like LifeSite and Fox News labeled it justice against “cheating.” Caldas’s case draws parallels to others, like Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who faced similar scrutiny but competed in the 2024 Olympics.

Unlike Khelif (suspected DSD, not transgender), Caldas’s history includes pre-transition male competition and documented transition. A Quillette investigation revealed efforts to erase male past, including name changes from Hugo to Hannah/Ana.

This fuels arguments for mandatory sex screening in female sports. World Aquatics’ policy reflects a growing trend: World Athletics, Cycling, and Boxing have similar restrictions. The IOC defers to federations, but calls mount for universal chromosomal verification. As of November 8, 2025, no appeal from Caldas is reported; she seems content retiring.

The ban erases recent masters triumphs but not her legacy in multiple sports. For female athletes displaced by her victories, justice feels belated. This saga underscores tensions between inclusion, privacy, and fairness.

While Caldas views the test as humiliating, opponents see refusal as admission. With transgender participation rising in masters and recreational levels, more cases loom. Federations must balance rights without compromising women’s categories—protected for biological reasons. Caldas’s “I feel hurt” sentiment, echoed in media, contrasts with affected women’s losses.

Though not an Olympic icon as initially claimed (near-miss in 2012), her story symbolizes broader conflicts. Rowling and Musk’s involvement, even indirect, highlights cultural divide.

Ultimately, science—chromosomes define sex in sport—prevails here. World Aquatics’ firm stance may set precedent, ensuring female spaces remain for females. As debates rage on X and beyond, one thing is clear: this ban is just the latest chapter in an ongoing battle for equity in athletics.