News/Commentary

Officials threaten to scrap CA high school track event over protests; trans runner who bumps girl no-shows

May 28, 2023 | | Print Article

A state track official threatened to shut down a high school track event Friday after several demonstrators showed up to protest on behalf of women’s rights.

“We’re gonna stop the whole meet. We’re stopping the whole meet. [Go] outside the stadium [or] we’re stopping the whole meet,” a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) official could be heard saying to the protesters in a video clip uploaded by their group, “WomenAreReal.”

In response, the protesters agreed to leave the stadium.

Watch:

Why were the protesters even there? Because California’s high school track events have been hijacked by so-called “transgender girls” like Athena Ryan, who recently took a girl’s spot by finishing second in a championship race.

“Athena Ryan finished in second place in the varsity girls 1,600-meter run finals on Saturday. Ryan of Sonoma Academy finished behind Hanne Thomsen of Montgomery and ahead of Ellie Buckley of Campolindo. Ryan will advance to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track & Field Championships next week,” Fox News reported on May 21st.

Interestingly, neither Ryan nor another “transgender girl,” Lorelei Barrett, showed up for Friday’s event. CIF has blamed their absence on “transphobia.”

“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 federation said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times.

“The CIF strongly denounces discriminatory or harassing behaviors that impact our student-athletes’ opportunities to participate in interscholastic competitions,” the federation added.

According to the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICON), two girls also failed to show up, though presumably for different reasons:

In a statement issued to the Times, ICONS co-founder Kim Jones blasted the CIF for caring more about “transgender girls” than actual girls.

“Girls are suffering right now, and this concern for the boys is being placed at a higher value than safety and respect for girls. These policies allowing male athletes to compete with girls are ripping women’s sports apart,” she said.

In fairness to the “transgender girls,” they have faced some unnecessary indignities from protesters.

“Last Saturday, at the Southern Section Masters event, one parent appeared to repeatedly shout ‘Trip her!’ at Barrett in the midst of the 1,600-meter race, as can be heard in a highlight video posted to a channel titled ‘THATRACKLIFE,'” according to the Times.

“As Barrett ran neck and neck with Dana Hills’ Allura Markow in a foursome at the head of the pack with Ventura’s Sadie Engelhardt and Corona Santiago’s Rylee Blade, another parent can be heard saying, ‘Three girls and a guy.'”

Watch:

That said, pro-women’s rights protesters argue that there is no greater indignity than girls being forced to compete against biological males.

It doesn’t help that the CIF’s rules against so-called “hate speech” and alleged “bullying” make it difficult for anyone to speak out about this.

“If they are accused of breaching the contract, then they risk being disqualified or disciplined by the school, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) or the North Coast Section board,” according to the Daily Mail.

Speaking with the outlet, one unnamed parent said, “We have all been advised that we are not protected. As a family, anything we say falls under the student code of conduct.”

“If we don’t follow the guidelines, then it is considered bullying. They can’t protect our girls from being disqualified so I understand why no one wants to speak out. We knew there was a potential for this all year, for them to race against a boy,” they added.

The CIF has been allowing transgender athletes to compete against those of the opposite sex since 2013.

“All of our athletes, all the eligible athletes, are afforded the opportunity to compete with the gender they feel most comfortable with,” CIF associate executive director Brian Seymour told the Times.

Vivek Saxena
Latest posts by Vivek Saxena (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles