A wave of controversy has hit the Corona-Norco Unified School District as a result of a transgender athlete competing in the girls’ division of track and field. The athlete broke meet records that females had set in previous years, such as the girls’ triple jump record with a mark of 40’0 ½. This result outraged many female athletes and coaches alike, as they had trained hard to compete for a fair chance, only not even to have a shot at the win they had hoped for.
At Ontario Relays, athletes were buzzing with a conversation regarding the situation, with many asking what coaches were willing to do if the athlete’s times and marks would count against them, and if this was even allowed considering the act that President Trump signed just a few short weeks earlier titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports”. Shortly after a discussion among meet officials and coaches, it was clarified that the act only applied to college and professional sports and that the athlete could keep the records they exceeded under their name in meet history.
The same continued the following weekend at the Roosevelt Invitational, as the same athlete came to compete in the girls’ division once again. However, it did not surprise those in attendance this time. Security was tight, and officials closely monitored athlete safety. After a conversation with a meet official about the security measures, it was shared that protests were expected and that the sheriff would arrive shortly to enforce safety measures if the expected protesters showed up. On that particular day, no angry protesters stormed the gates as expected, but multiple parents were seen wearing shirts supporting the Save Women’s Sports movement.
In an interview with an anonymous athlete, here’s what those experiencing the issue had to say:
Have you or someone you know competed against this transgender athlete, and how did that make you or them feel?
The athlete shared some things about the situation, noting that one of their friends competed against a biological male in the girls’ division. They stated that one of their friends “recently competed against a transgender athlete, and she lost the first-place position to them”. The female athlete placed second, and “a different girl was pushed off from getting an award”. They also emphasized that ” biological differences allow them to perform better”.
How do you feel about transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports in general?
The interviewed athlete also expressed the belief that the competition was unfair, stating that “as a whole, it’s unfair for a biological male to be competing in women’s sports”. They expanded upon the idea, saying that “women have fought very hard to have our place in society, especially in sports. Having a male, although the person believes that they are a female, is unjust that they’re allowed to compete in female sports”. The athlete also made it evident that “this is not hate towards the transgender community, however, there are two separate areas of sports for the two different genders”.
The Corona-Norco Unified School District has been addressed regarding the Save Women’s Sports movement evolving in the area, and a meeting regarding the issue is expected to follow. Resolutions on handling the situation will be discussed and exploring differing views and opinions.
