In a recent track and field event held at the North Coast Meet of Champions of California finals, an unexpected turn of events sparked controversy and ignited a heated debate surrounding the inclusion of transgender athletes in high school sports. Adeline Johnson, a California high school senior, narrowly missed her opportunity to compete in the girls’ state championships when Athena Ryan, a junior from Sonoma Academy who identifies as a girl, finished ahead of her in the girls’ 1,600-meter run.
Adeline Johnson, who finished fourth in the race, was visibly disappointed as she stood on the podium, and some spectators interpreted her gesture as a thumbs-down directed toward the outcome. This incident, which gained significant attention on social media, triggered a larger discussion about the fairness of allowing transgender athletes to compete in gender-specific sports categories.
We were there. Many came to us as we protested to thank us and say they couldn’t speak up themselves. Organizers told us we “were in the wrong place for a protest.” We snapped back with, “we are in EXACTLY the right place, right now. Incl boys in girls race is excluding girls.” https://t.co/Nvpz5v7ubx
— SF_TERF_CENTRAL (@SF_TERF_CENTRAL) May 21, 2023
Critics of the decision to include transgender athletes in girls’ sports argue that it creates an uneven playing field and disadvantages cisgender female athletes. Darren Marble, a former California state champion high jumper, expressed his frustration, stating, “I think this is complete and utter nonsense. I’m embarrassed for our state and feel sorry for the girls who were cheated in the process.” These sentiments were echoed by protesters who voiced concerns over the fairness and integrity of women’s sports.
On the other hand, supporters of transgender inclusion emphasize the importance of inclusivity and acceptance. Athena Ryan, who placed second in the race, expressed surprise at his own improvement and spoke about his personal journey. “I dropped like 17 seconds on my season’s best in the past two weeks. After last weekend, I didn’t think I could run low 5s again. I was just coming here trying to break 5 – just glad I finished it out,” Ryan said.
Amidst the controversy, tensions ran high at the event, with some parents and activists expressing their dissatisfaction. Reports emerged of women being removed from the field for displaying signs in support of girls’ rights in sports while a profanity-filled verbal abuser towards the group had no repercussions. The Independent Council on Women’s Sports, a network advocating for female-protected categories in sports, highlighted the lack of awareness among many parents regarding the participation of transgender athletes.
One women found our “Protect Female Sports” banner disgusting and offensive. Note the secretive thank you’s and a high-five by a female athlete at the end. @SF_TERF_CENTRAL @XxtraEstroGenny @icons_women #SaveWomensSports pic.twitter.com/4SHwXYxJI6
— WomenAreReal (@WomenAreReals) May 21, 2023
