In a bombshell revelation that has reignited the fierce debate over transgender participation in women’s sports, a former teammate of transgender swimmer Hannah Caldas has come forward with chilling accounts of discomfort and violation in the women’s locker room. The anonymous ex-teammate described screaming upon hearing what she believed was a man’s voice in the changing area, highlighting the deep unease felt by many female athletes forced to share intimate spaces with biological males.
This explosive testimony surfaces just weeks after World Aquatics imposed a five-year global ban on Caldas, effectively ending her competitive career until 2030.
The 47-year-old athlete, who also competes under the name Ana and has a history in CrossFit and other sports, refused to undergo mandatory chromosomal testing required under the governing body’s strict gender eligibility policy.
Caldas, originally from Portugal and now representing the United States, had dominated women’s masters events, winning five titles at the US Masters Swimming Spring Nationals earlier this year.
Her refusal to comply with the sex verification test led to the disqualification of all results dating back to June 2022, stripping her of medals and records.
The former teammate’s horror story paints a vivid picture of the locker room nightmare that female competitors endure when policies allow transgender women—biological males—who have gone through male puberty to access women’s facilities.
“I screamed when I heard a man in the changing room,” the teammate recounted in interviews, demanding an apology from Caldas and sporting authorities for the invasion of privacy and safety.
She described the trauma of undressing alongside someone with male physiology, echoing complaints from athletes like Riley Gaines, who previously spoke out against similar experiences with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.
This incident underscores the broader crisis in women’s sports, where fairness and safety are sacrificed for inclusion agendas.
Hannah Caldas’s case is particularly egregious, as investigations reveal a 16-year history of competing in women’s categories across multiple disciplines, including swimming, rowing, CrossFit, and Grid League.
Born male as Hugo Caldas, she began transitioning and entering female events as early as 2009, amassing prizes, records, and victories while evading scrutiny until recently.
Critics argue that Caldas’s physical advantages from male puberty—broader shoulders, greater lung capacity, and muscle mass—gave her an unfair edge, displacing biological women from podiums and scholarships.
The global ban by World Aquatics stems from violations of their 2022 policy, which bars transgender women who experienced male puberty from elite women’s competition unless they can prove no such development occurred.
Caldas provided a birth certificate claiming female assignment but balked at the chromosomal test, calling it “invasive and expensive” and not covered by insurance.
In a statement, she accepted the ban as the “price I am happy to pay” to protect her medical privacy, announcing plans to retire from competitive swimming.
Yet, this stance has drawn fierce backlash, with advocates for women’s rights labeling it as evasion of accountability.
The former teammate’s demands for an apology highlight the emotional toll on female athletes.
Many women have quietly withdrawn from competitions or endured discomfort in silence, fearing accusations of transphobia.
In Caldas’s case, lifeguards and pool staff reportedly witnessed her transition from men’s to women’s locker rooms, yet no action was taken for years.
This lax enforcement allowed what some call “masquerading” as a female athlete to continue unchecked, robbing women of fair play.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a lawsuit against US Masters Swimming after Caldas’s dominance at nationals, accusing the organization of depriving female participants of opportunities.
While USMS initially cleared Caldas based on documents, World Aquatics’s tougher stance exposes the inconsistencies in national versus international rules.
The scandal has fueled calls for universal sex screening in female sports.
As detailed in a Quillette exposé, Caldas’s saga demonstrates how far some male athletes will go to compete against women, including name changes and document alterations.
From “Hugo” to “Hannah” to “Ana,” the evolving identity raises questions about authenticity and intent.
Supporters of Caldas argue that masters-level competition is recreational, not elite, and that banning her infringes on personal rights.
They point to her compliance with US rules and birth certificate as proof of eligibility.
However, opponents counter that biology, not identity, determines fairness—male puberty confers irreversible advantages, even with hormone suppression.
World Aquatics’s decision aligns with policies from bodies like World Rugby and FINA, prioritizing sex-based categories to protect women.
The former teammate’s public outcry demands not just an apology but systemic change.
She represents countless women who feel silenced, their screams in locker rooms ignored amid fears of cancellation.
As Caldas’s ban sends shockwaves, it signals a turning point: no more unchecked male inclusion in women’s spaces.
Female athletes deserve privacy, safety, and fair competition—without apology.
This case exposes the horror of policies that prioritize feelings over facts, leaving women vulnerable in their most intimate moments.
The demand for an apology from Caldas is justified; true remorse would acknowledge the harm caused to teammates forced to share spaces with a biological male.
As the sports world grapples with these issues, Caldas’s story serves as a cautionary tale.
Refusing a simple test to confirm eligibility isn’t privacy—it’s admission.
Women’s sports must remain for women, full stop.
With the ban in place and voices like the former teammate’s amplifying the truth, perhaps real protection for female athletes is finally on the horizon.
The global community watches, hoping this “shocking ban” becomes the norm, not the exception
