Historic Participation in the Winter Olympics
In the picturesque alpine setting of Livigno, Italy, 23-year-old Elis Lundholm made history by becoming the first openly transgender athlete to participate in the Winter Olympics. Despite finishing 25th in the women’s moguls qualifying round and missing the finals, Lundholm emphasized his commitment to skiing over the significance of his participation in the event.
“I haven’t really thought about it that much. I’m here at the same conditions as everyone else,”
– Elis Lundholm
Support from Peers and Community
Lundholm, who was assigned female at birth and identifies as male, has been supported by his peers, including fellow skier Tess Johnson from the U.S. Johnson applauded Lundholm’s groundbreaking presence, stating:
“I think it’s great that Elis is competing as the first transgender Winter Olympian. We’re here to ski and have fun, and that’s exactly what we do.”
Significance of Lundholm’s Participation
Prior to the Olympics, Outsports, a prominent LGBTQ+ sports platform, highlighted Lundholm’s pivotal role in the harmonizing shift in the perception of transgender athletes in winter sports. The International Olympic Committee authorized the comprehensive database Olympedia, revealing that more than 20 transgender athletes have previously competed in the Summer Games but none in the Winter Olympics until Lundholm’s debut.
Interestingly, Lundholm has not received any gender-affirming surgeries or treatments, which has alleviated concerns over potential advantages in competition. Furthermore, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) is contemplating a genetic testing policy for gender eligibility to ensure fairness in women’s events, reminiscent of historical practices from the late 1960s when female athletes had to provide proof of their gender—a practice long criticized as invasive and misleading.
Advocacy for Fairness in Sports
As for Lundholm’s perspective on these matters, he advocated for equity in sports, saying:
“I want everyone to be able to compete fairly against each other.”
However, he also emphasized that his primary goal remains to enhance his skiing skills and enjoy the Olympic experience. Reflecting on his recent performance, he remarked:
“I’m happy to put down a run today. It wasn’t the best run… but I’m happy.”
A Milestone in Inclusion
In an era where discussions about inclusion in sports are hotly debated, Lundholm’s participation represents a significant milestone, and his focus on the sport reinforces the essence of athleticism above all else.
