Aussie swimming great Lisa Curry reveals what happened when she had to take an Olympics 'gender test' before she could compete

With just days to go until the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, swimming legend Lisa Curry has revealed how she had to once take a 'gender test' before competing in the Olympics.

Curry, 61, was one of the golden girls of Australian swimming during a career that spanned 23 years as she represented Australia at three Olympics. 

With today's pool stars just days away from competing, Curry has revealed the eye-opening test she had to take in 1992.

'Found this yesterday and thought it would be fun to do a show and tell of a few past stories leading up to Fridays Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris,' Curry posted to social media alongside a photo of the 'gender certificate' she was given after the test.

'This was a card given to all athletes competing in 1992 Barcelona after they completed a 'gender test'.

'I wonder if they still do it?'

Curry went on to explain that the man who signed her card and was head of the drug testing policy for the International Olympic Committee at the time, Alexandre de Merode, had a sometimes controversial career.

De Merode was involved in a number of Olympic drug scandals, notably at Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988.

'This definitely surprised me… or does it?' said Curry.

'And it was at these Barcelona Games where we swam against the Chinese swimmers.'

China's swimmers began to dominate the pool in the early 1990s, and by the mid-1990s were winning many medals.

They became notorious for doping, with more than 40 Chinese swimmers failing drug tests during the decade. 

Meanwhile, the Paris Games have the strictest regulations and rules around transgender athletes in Olympic history.

Some sports recently decided that transgender athletes must have completed their transition before 12 years of age so that trans competitors don't have any unfair advantages from going through male puberty.

These guidelines have been adopted by athletics and swimming. Other sports have their own specific regulations heading into the Paris Games.

In November 2021 the IOC released guidelines aimed at finding the best way to support trans athletes and foster their inclusion in elite sport, while also preserving 'meaningful and fair competition'.  

In January, Curry revealed on social media that she is in 'recovery' following the tragic death of her daughter Jaimi aged 33 in 2020.

Jaimi, who Lisa shared with ex-husband Grant Kenny, passed away in September 2020 after a long battle with alcoholism and an eating disorder.

Lisa and Grant Kenny wed in 1984, separated in 2009, and welcomed three children together: son Jett, 29, and daughters Morgan, 32, and Jaimi.

Jaimi died at Sunshine Coast University Hospital on September 14, 2020, surrounded by her family.