Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a lawsuit against United States Masters Swimming for illegal discrimination against female athletes.
The lawsuit from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier against United States Masters Swimming alleges that USMS is illegally discriminating against women and deceiving consumers by allowing men to compete in women’s swimming events that are advertised as female-only.
“We gave them a chance and plenty of time to remove men from women’s swimming competitions, but time’s up,” the Florida AG posted.
“But U.S. Masters Swimming is letting men compete in women’s races, and even take recognition meant for female athletes,” Attorney General James Uthmeier said. “Men have real physical advantages in strength, speed and endurance. When they’re allowed into women’s races, they take medals, rankings and opportunities away from female athletes who have trained for their entire lives for a fair shot.”
The Florida AG said it is “deceptive” that U.S. Masters Swimming advertises women’s divisions while allowing men to compete in them, adding that it violates Florida law. Attorney General James Uthmeier said Florida has protected fairness and equal opportunity in sports, and this action is to defend fairness, to protect female athletes and to enforce Florida law.
As the U.S. Supreme Court hears challenges to laws preventing men from competing in women’s sports, the Florida Attorney General filed this lawsuit against U.S. Masters Swimming.
Check online to view the full complaint as filed in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Also check online to view Florida AG James Uthmeier’s previous letter requesting corrective action from USMS.
