“I thought SPORTS Illustrated was about sports” Martina Navratilova slams the magazine for its poor stance in supporting transgender swimmer Lia Thomas
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Martina Navratilova and Lia Thomas
Tennis great Martina Navratilova is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes not only for her achievements on the court but also for using her image and popularity in raising concerns about various topics. Martina won a total of 18 singles, 31 doubles, and 10 mixed doubles Grand Slam titles totaling 59 Grand Slam titles, an Open-Era record in itself.
Martina has also openly been a lesbian and a gay-rights activist not afraid to speak about the topic in hopes of raising awareness about the same and breaking the stigma and stereotype around it. She has however been accused of being transphobic but that has been quashed as she is the leader of the Women’s Sports Policy Working Group formed to accommodate all trans women in all competitive and sports categories.
Martina joined the ongoing discussions regarding American swimmer Lia Thomas who came out as a transwoman in 2019. Having swimmer for the men’s team earlier, Thomas joined the women’s team of her college in 2021 having undergone hormone therapy to start the transition into a transwoman.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Thomas said, “I just want to show trans kids and younger trans athletes that they’re not alone. They don’t have to choose between who they are and the sport they love. I’m a woman, just like anybody else on the team. I’ve always viewed myself as just a swimmer. It’s what I’ve done for so long; it’s what I love. I get into the water every day and do my best.
“I did hurt knowing and accepting I might not swim again,” she said. “I was just trying to live my life. … I felt, mentally, a lot better and healthier pretty quickly. The relief it gave me was quite substantial. I don’t know exactly what the future of my swimming will look like after this year, but I would love to continue doing it. I want to swim and compete as who I am,” added Thomas speaking with Sports Illustrated.
Martina Navratilova unhappy with Sports Illustrated’s take on it
Sports Illustrated talked about will it cause a divide as many of Lia‘s teammates have been divided whether it is an even field given her growth was different to the other girls on the team. Martina was however unhappy with the remarks of the magazine and vented her frustration about it through her Twitter handle.
“I thought SPORTS Illustrated was about sports. “Alleged” physical advantages?How about at least a little discussion of Lia’s numbers and the male vs female testosterone levels, about the advantages of male puberty, comparing Lia’s times as a male swimmer and as a female swimmer?” tweeted Martina.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)