Swimming’s world governing body has voted to restrict the participation of transgender athletes in elite women’s competitions.

The decision requires transgender competitors to have completed their transition by age 12 to be able to compete.

It’s proposing separate “open” races to cater for transgender athletes who don’t qualify for the traditional gender categories.

Australian Olympic gold medallist Cate Campbell addressed FINA members before the vote.

“It is my hope that young girls all around the world can continue to dream about becoming Olympic and world champions in a female category prioritising the competitive cornerstone of fairness,” she said.

“However, it is also my hope that a young, gender diverse child can walk into a swimming club can feel the same level of acceptance that a 9-year-old immigrant kid from Africa did all those years ago.”

Sofie Formica said Campbell’s speech was “pretty phenomenal”.

She read out more of Cambell’s speech, who said “wrestled long and hard” with what was the right thing to say and do.

Press PLAY below to hear Sofie explain more about today’s development