I have been a swimmer since I was 8 years old. I swam all through high school and eventually committed to swim at Florida State University. I transferred to finish my swim career at Florida Gulf Coast University. I understand what being a college athlete entails and the hardships we [endure] mentally and physically. There is a reason we have Title IX. Women work way too hard to have a biological male decide he would like to win all of the women events. He is taking a spot away from a female that has worked very hard to make NCAA championship and he is also taking a scholarship away from a potential college athlete. It is very discouraging for girls to participate in sports, knowing you will compete against a man and lose because of their biological advantages. Being a female athlete is so empowering and women have fought so hard to have opportunities to compete fairly in sports. All of this is going down the drain with the new transgender policies.