Martina Navratilova calls out USA Cycling over inclusion of trans men who emerged victorious at the Women’s cyclocross in Chicago

Martina Navratilova expresses her views against transgenders competing in women's sports.

Martina Navratilova calls out USA Cycling over inclusion of trans men who emerged victorious at the Women’s cyclocross in Chicago

Martina Navratilova (Via X, Sportskeeda)

Martina Navratilova, the 66-year-old former tennis player, has been amidst many controversies over the past week. She has been voicing her opinions against USA Cycling‘s decision to include transgender men in the same category as the women’s cyclocross race. The Twitter war has been on for a few days, and Navratilova has been a major part of the debate.

For context, the race held in Chicago revealed the two winners—both transgender males won in the female cyclocross event. Navratilova had always been against the decision of the USA to allow transgenders in the women’s category, as it would be unfair to other women participating in the tournament. As per the former tennis professional, males have some biological advantages that females do not, and that can play a major disadvantage in a female’s tournament. 

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Tessa Johnson and Evelyn Williamson emerged victorious in the Cyclocross. Johnson beat the women by 2 and a half minutes, and around this, Martina as well as others have raised their concerns. The former tennis player called out USA Cycling by expressing her concern about unfairness in the tournament. “This is patently wrong and unfair,” says Navratilova on Twitter.

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In the recent incident where transgender males won the female leg of the tournament without breaking a sweat, tennis legend Martina Navratilova took to Twitter to express her views on this matter.

Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova (Via Firstsportz)

A fan pointed out that in a draw of 20 women, only 4 women participated, which signifies the high rate of self-exclusion. “Exactly right—women will self-exclude because of all these males competing. So once again, by including, you are excluding. Sex categories actually increase inclusion if they remain male (open) and female only!” says Martina on Twitter.

With the world bringing forth new classifications of gender and people identifying themselves as other genders, it causes a huge rift in the world of sports due to the basic differences in bodies between men and women.

While advocating inclusivity, she emphasizes the significance of considering biological differences in athletes when determining eligibility. Martina also spoke about another angle of locker room problems that women might face with the inclusion of transgender males in the room. These are problems that have to be settled by the sporting committees, being mindful of all the factors that play a role. 

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