On Friday, Two trans-identified male athletes decided not to run in the California State preliminary Track and Field Championship. Athena Ryan, from Sonoma Academy, and Lorelei Barrett, from Sherman Oaks Buckley, were both scheduled to run in the 1,600-meter run but opted not to show up following backlash received from their qualification last weekend.
According to a Twitter post from the Independent Council on Women's Sports (ICONS), two biological females joined the trans athletes no show at the start line.
"The CIFState policies are making a mockery of the girl's events and embarrassing all competitors," they said. "Everyone knows this is wrong. Girls deserve fair competition!"
Former college swimmer and activist Riley Gains questioned, "Did they realize they clearly possess an unfair advantage? or is that too optimistic?" She continued, "Congrats to the girls who competed and advanced."
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) told the Los Angeles Times, "The CIF is disappointed for two of our student-athletes and their families because due to the actions of others, they found it necessary to withdraw from the State Track and Field Championships out of concern for the student’s well being."
"The CIF strongly denounces discriminatory or harassing behaviors that impact our student-athletes' opportunities to participate in interscholastic competitions,” the statement concluded.
Athena Ryan was the subject of controversy last weekend after qualifying for the state championship race. Ryans's second-place finish caused high school senior Adeline Johnson, a female, to miss out on advancing to the championship.
Security reportedly removed protestors at the sectional meet for holding a sign that read "protect female sports." ICONS noted in a Twitter post, "Many of the parents were completely unaware there was a boy competing in girls races. Others were appreciative that they were there when they themselves felt silenced."
World Athletics, the governing body over track and field, banned biological male athletes from competing in female sports in March.
Trans-identified males competing in female sports has been a controversial topic that hit a fever pitch when UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas burst onto the scene in 2021 after dominating the 500m just over a year after starting to transition.
The controversy has caused sports organizations around the world to reevaluate their stances on trans athletes. The International Olympic Committee and the NCAA have stated they will go by the rules set forth by each sport's individual governing body.
The Biden administration is weighing its options to have Title IX allow trans athletes to compete in the category of their gender identity.
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