- Lisa Curry had to undergo tests before the 1992 Barcelona Games
- The swimming legend recalled in a post on social media
Just days before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, swimming legend Lisa Curry has revealed that she once had to take a “gender test” before competing at the Olympics.
Curry, 61, was one of the golden girls of Australian swimming during a career that spanned 23 years as she represented Australia at three Olympic Games.
With today’s stars of snooker due to compete, Curry has revealed the revealing test he had to pass in 1992.
“I came across this yesterday and thought it would be fun to do a show and tell some backstories leading up to the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Paris on Friday,” Curry posted on social media along with a photo of the “gender certificate” she was given after the test.
‘This was a card that was given to all athletes competing in Barcelona 1992 after completing a ‘gender test’.
‘I wonder if they still make it?’
Curry went on to explain that the man who signed his card and was head of the International Olympic Committee’s drug testing policy at the time, Alexandre de Merode, had a sometimes controversial career.
De Merode was involved in several drug scandals at the Olympic Games, notably in Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988.
Lisa Curry has revealed that she was required to take a gender test before the Barcelona Olympics
Swimming legend says all athletes took gender test at 1992 Games and revealed the ‘gender certificate’ she was given afterwards
“This definitely surprised me… or did it?” Curry said.
“And it was at these Barcelona Games where we swam against the Chinese swimmers.”
Chinese swimmers began to dominate the pool in the early 1990s and were already winning numerous medals by the mid-1990s.
They became notorious for doping: more than 40 Chinese swimmers failed drug tests during the decade.
Meanwhile, the Paris Games have the strictest regulations and rules surrounding transgender athletes in Olympic history.
Curry (pictured competing in the 100m butterfly at the Barcelona Games) had a distinguished career and represented Australia at three Olympic Games.
Some sports recently decided that transgender athletes must have completed their transition before age 12 so that trans competitors do not have unfair advantages for going through male puberty.
These guidelines have been adopted by athletics and swimming. Other sports have their own specific rules for the Paris Games.
In November 2021 the The IOC has published guidelines aimed at finding the best way to support trans athletes and encourage their inclusion in elite sport, while preserving “meaningful and fair competition.”
In January, Curry revealed on social media that he is in “recovery” following the tragic death of his daughter Jaimi, aged 33, in 2020.
Jaimi, whom Lisa shared with ex-husband Grant Kenny, passed away in September 2020 after a long battle with alcoholism and an eating disorder.
Lisa and Grant Kenny married in 1984, split in 2009 and had three children together: son Jett, 29, and daughters Morgan, 32, and Jaimi.
Jaimi died at Sunshine Coast University Hospital on 14 September 2020, surrounded by her family.