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Transgender athletes scored gold, silver and bronze medals at a women’s cycling race last week — reportedly the first time trans competitors have swept the medals.
Every medalling team in the women’s Madison at Washington’s Marymore Grand Prix had a trans member on the two–person team.
The Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome in Redmond, the venue for the event, warned it will not tolerate “bullying or derogatory comments especially related to race, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability.”
But fans were upset to see a trans competitor standing roughly a foot taller than their teammate on the podium.
“This is so egregious I can’t imagine how people watched this happen and thought this was OK,” a commenter replied on social media.
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Teams that had one male and one female went 1-2-3 in the women’s Madison at the Marymoor Grand Prix.
I wonder what gave those teams an edge over the 100% female teams. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/jrDgrebirA
— 🚲 (@i_heart__bikes) July 22, 2024
Jordan Lothrop, who was part of the first-place team, was achieving podium finishes against men in B.C.’s Victoria Cycling League as recently as last year. Lothrop was ranked 22nd amongst male competitors in July 2023.
Jenna Lingwood, who took home silver, raced as a man until 2017 and now is a member of an Oregon-based women’s cyclocross squad.
Californian Eva Lin, 28, used to race as Henry Lin for San Jose State University’s men’s team, but switched to its women’s team in 2022.
The Union Cycliste Internationale, the sport’s governing body, banned transgender athletes who have transitioned after male puberty from competing in international events last year.
USA Cycling also introduced new rules in January requiring transgender athletes to undergo “elite athlete fairness evaluations” if they wish to compete in top events.
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However, trans athletes competing at amateur level only need a “self-identity verification request,” which will be reviewed by a USA Cycling Technical Director.
Last year, two trans athletes took first and second in the women’s event at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships, sparking outrage and leading to the rule changes.
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Publish date : 2024-07-24 22:54:13
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