50-year-old transgender woman shared pool, locker room with young girls at race

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A 50-year-old transgender swimmer was allowed to compete against teenage girls at an event in Canada — with horrified parents building a makeshift tent out of towels to shield girls as young as 8 in the locker room.

Melody Wiseheart, who once competed under the name Nicholas Cepeda, sparked outrage while competing during the Trojan Cup in Barrie, Ontario.

“The girls were terrified,” an unidentified parent of one of the teenagers told the Toronto Sun of having to share a locker room with the much older trans swimmer.

“It’s all so confusing for the kids,” another parent said. “No one is comfortable.

“Everyone is accepting of all people, but them swimming against our kids and being in a locker room with them is not appropriate.”

Wiseheart, a professor at York University, participated in several events at the event over the first three days of December, including the women’s 1500-meter freestyle for athletes 16 and older, in which she placed second.

She has reportedly been competing against girls since 2019.

Wiseheart was also spotted entering the locker room ahead of the event, and at least one concerned parent said they called the local police.

The Barrie Police Department acknowledged to the Sun they “were later advised that the matter had resolved itself and we did not attend.”

But parents said they were still left with questions about the incident.

“We have no idea why it’s allowed,” one parent said of Wiseheart competing against the girls. 

“We know it’s not fair to the girls who are training at their sport and some of whom are hoping for scholarships.”

In statements, Swimming Canada and Swim Ontario — which sanctioned the competition — defended Wiseheart’s participation.

“In partnership with Swimming Canada, Swim Ontario has a robust system of policies, procedures and rules that support our member clubs in providing a competitive experience that is safe, welcoming and inclusive for all participants,” the organization said.

It noted that Swim Ontario “investigated concerns related to an adult competing against swimmers aged 12 – 14 during a recent competition hosted by the Richmond Hill Aquatic Club” and determined that “RHAC acted appropriately, in hosting the competition.”

The organization explained that athletes are seeded by entry time, regardless of their age,

It also said that access to changing rooms “is determined by facility/municipality policies in accordance with applicable law.”

“Swimming Canada and Swim Ontario believe swimming is for everyone … people of all shapes, sizes, genders, beliefs and background should have the opportunity to swim to the best of their ability … with the expectation that our registrants treat each other with respect and dignity, and keep our sport environment free from harassment and abuse.”

“This is crazy,” one parent said in response. “None of this adds up.”

World Aquatics, the international governing body of the sport, effectively banned male-to-female transgender athletes from competing in women’s events last year after updating its policy to allow for only swimmers who transitioned before age 12 or in the early stages of puberty.

The Post has reached out to Wiseheart for comment.

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