Transgender swimmers will compete in the new Open category at the World Championships in Berlin

Transgender swimmer Leah Thomas has sparked controversy after winning a major US women's university competition. Credit: USA TODAY/Brett Davis

A new «open» category for transgender athletes will be offered for the first time at the Swimming World Cup in Berlin this October.

World Aquatics was one of the first major Olympic governing body, which effectively banned transgender women from participating in the elite women's category last year, but as part of the announcement promised to organize competitions in a new open category to provide opportunities for «swimmers of all genders and gender identities.»

These will be 50m and 100m races in all sports, although it is currently unclear to what extent the competition can be supported by transgender athletes.

The decision to create a new open category follows the success of transgender swimmer Leah Thomas in major US university competitions and concerns that the old rules regarding testosterone suppression could not guarantee fair competition for women.Leah Thomas (left) accepts the winning trophy in the 500m freestyle at the 2022 US Collegiate Swimming Championships. Credit: Getty Images/Icon Sportswire

Other governing bodies such as athletics and cycling have since followed the women's swim rules, but World Aquatics is the first major Olympic sport to host a third potential category of competition , separate from the men's and women's competitions.

World Aquatics described the new open category in Berlin as a «groundbreaking pilot project» and said more activities could still be added.

«This highlights the unwavering commitment to inclusion, welcoming swimmers of all genders and gender identities,» representatives said. World Aquatics, who have yet to determine exact entry requirements and qualifying times.

They said that swimmers would need to be a member of a national federation, but would be given the flexibility to enter individually, for their club, teams or as members of a national federation.

The competition in Berlin is the first of three World Cup meetings this year and one of the main events in the swimming calendar, in addition to major championships.

Vice German Swimming Federation President Kai Morgenroth said the hosts are «proud» of hosting an event where swimmers can «compete without barriers.» «Berlin is the center of diversity and inclusion in Germany, so it's the perfect location for such a progressive project,» he said.