At the U.S. Masters Swimming Spring Nationals in San Antonio, Angie Griffin lost a national title in the women’s category to male competitor Hugo “Hannah/Ana” Caldas. He went on to take 5 women’s national titles at that meet and has racked up a total of 28 women’s national swimming titles in addition to 2 stolen world titles.
Angie and several other members of U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) spoke out against the policy that allowed this injustice and a grievance was filed against HER for speaking out publicly. Now, USMS has found the complaint against Angie to be “not without merit” and is subjecting her to a tribunal for defending fair competition for women.
If the tribunal rules against her, Angie faces disciplinary action that includes barring her from swimming FOR LIFE, labeling her advocacy as “unsporting conduct.”
This sends a chilling message to female athletes everywhere: speak up for women’s sports and you will be punished and erased. Female athletes should never face retaliation for calling a man, a man or for saying women’s sports should be for women.
Ways you can support:
- Contribute to ICONS Legal Fund
- Visit our partner, XX-XY Athletics and buy a shirt!
Sign Angie’s letter to keep Women’s Master’s Swimming for Females and please consider making a donation so we can support women like Angie!
We urge US Masters Swimming to immediately dismiss the grievance against Angie Griffin, halt any disciplinary action, and take responsibility for ensuring that women’s competition is protected through clear, enforceable eligibility standards. Placing Ms. Griffin before a tribunal for publicly acknowledging that she raced a male competitor and for referencing published articles to back her claim is deeply troubling. Calling a man, a man is not harassment, and defending one’s right to fair competition is not misconduct. Women must be free to speak accurately about their own sporting experiences, especially when fairness, integrity, and safety are at stake.
Women have to take the fight for women’s sports and female athletes to courts. Your contribution to the ICONS Athlete Legal Fund will directly support April Hutchinson and other female athletes like her. If you that women need to know they are worthy of fair competition and free voice to defend their rights, please consider a donation $5 – $1000, everything will go to supporting female athletes.
If you’d like to make a contribution by check or wire transfer, please contact us here.