Utah Investigating HS Swimmer's Gender After State Win

A Utah high school student-athlete is being investigated to determine her gender after she placed first at a state-level competition. 

The Utah High School Activities Association confirmed the investigation to CBS News on Thursday, and officials confirmed that the athlete has been listed as female since her enrollment in kindergarten. 

Parents of the girls who finished second and third submitted a complaint to UHSAA, questioning whether the winner was assigned female at birth. 

UHAA spokesperson Dave Spatafore said the association investigates ever complaint they receive. 

The student-athlete's name is being kept confidential. 

In Utah, governor Spencer Cox vetoed a controversial bill that would have banned transgender student-athletes from participating in girls sports. However, a day later, Cox's veto was overruled by the state legislature and the "Student Eligibility in Interscholastic Activities" bill became law.

At the time, Cox said that there were only four transgender student-athletes in the state, and only one of them was a girl. 

"I am not an expert on transgenderism. I struggle to understand so much of it and the science is conflicting. When in doubt however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy and compassion," Cox wrote in a letter explaining his decision. "If a veto override occurs, I hope we can work to find ways to show these four kids that we love them and they have a place in our state."

The bill was scheduled to go into effect during the 2022-23 school year, which starts on Aug. 30, but a lawsuit is challenging the bill. 

According to the 2022-2023 UHSAA handbook via CBS News, transgender athletes are allowed to play on the sports team of their choice after they are deemed eligible by the principal of their school, school district and the UHSAA. Students seeking eligibility must submit several forms and requests, including a list of current medications and verification from a healthcare professional. Transgender girls must have completed at least one full year of hormone therapy before they are allowed to play on the girls' team.