Transgender California high school runner’s 2nd-place finish in girls race draws backlash
The California high school sports governing physique got here underneath hearth Sunday after a transgender athlete completed in second place in the CIF-North Coast Section Meet of Champions.
Athena Ryan finished in second place in the varsity girls 1,600-meter run finals on Saturday. Ryan of Sonoma Academy completed behind Hanne Thomsen of Montgomery and forward of Ellie Buckley of Campolindo. Ryan will advance to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track & Field Championships subsequent week.
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Track & Field: Goodwill Games, View of official with flag at finish line earlier than hurdles occasion, Seattle. (Mickey Pfleger/Sports Illustrated through Getty Images)
The Independent Council on Women’s Sports famous Ryan’s finish on social media.
According to the social media account WomenAreReal, some ladies held up a banner on the meet that learn, “Protect Female Sports.”
One girl informed one other girl who was holding the banner, “I find that f—ing offensive.” Another video confirmed safety chasing down the ladies who had been holding the banner.
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
Ryan, a junior, appeared to undeterred by the protests and controversy. Ryan completed with a 4:55.91 time consequence.
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“I wasn’t expecting that. I dropped like 17 seconds on my season’s best in the past two weeks,” Ryan informed MileSplit after the race. “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 informed the outlet she hoped to “have fun” on the occasion subsequent week.
Ryan completed sixth in the 1,600-meter preliminary race and twenty first in the girls 800-meter preliminaries.
The race occurred in California. (iStock)
The CIF has a “Gender Diverse Youth Sports Inclusivity Toolkit.” One part outlines “Gender Identity Participation.” The CIF has had “Gender Identity Participation” guidelines since 2013.
“All students should have the opportunity to participate in CIF athletics and/or activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity. Currently, most athletic programs are offered separately for boys and girls as outlined in CIF Bylaws 300.B. and C,” the part reads.
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“Athletes will participate in programs consistent with their gender identity or the gender most consistently expressed. School personnel responsible for student eligibility will work collaboratively with the student-athlete to determine eligibility. Once the student has been granted eligibility to participate in the sport consistent with their gender identity, the eligibility is granted for the duration of the student’s participation and does not need to be renewed every sports season or school year.”