Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey join forces to protect female athletes in sports against the inclusion of biological males.
The fight for fairness in women's sports has gained significant traction, with activists asserting that the tide may be turning in favor of protecting female athletes from competing against biological males.
On Thursday, the Our Bodies Our Sports coalition hosted an X Space event where speakers, including former professional tennis player Martina Navratilova and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, demanded that the NCAA ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports.
According to the press release, over 7,000 female NCAA athletes have written personalized letters to the NCAA Board of Governors, urging the repeal of policies that allow biological males to compete on women's collegiate teams.
College athletes who have been forced to compete against biological males shared their experiences, detailing the harmful consequences on their careers and opportunities. Payton McNabb and Madisan DeBos described the physical injuries and lost podium spots they endured.
Navratilova and Gaines emphasized that personal stories have a profound impact on public awareness and support. "The more athletes we have, especially the ones that have been affected personally by this, the more people become aware," Navratilova said.
The NCAA is currently facing a lawsuit filed by Gaines and other current and former college athletes who allege Title IX violations through the organization's transgender participation policy. The lawsuit argues that the policy discriminates against female athletes.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) recently announced a ban on biological males from participating in female sports, adding pressure on the NCAA to follow suit.
Following a meeting of the NCAA Board of Governors, a statement was released stating that the current policy on transgender athletes remains under review. However, the NCAA emphasized its commitment to Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, and its investments in women's sports.
Gaines expressed optimism that more people are "waking up" to the issue of fairness in women's sports. "Even I did," she said. "I had to be impacted before I said something."
Navratilova believes that the severity and impact of personal stories are crucial in galvanizing public support. "When you make it personal, it becomes much more gut-wrenching and visceral," she explained. "People get emotional and passionate and get involved."
As the movement gains momentum, activists remain hopeful that the NCAA will recognize the need to protect fairness and equal opportunities for all female athletes.
