A female American college athlete has described the experience of being beaten by “biological males” as “extremely deflating”, urging women in the state where a transitioned swimmer has broken records not to be afraid to talk.
Idaho track athlete Madison Kenyon went to court when the state’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which bans trans women from competing in women’s sports, faced a legal challenge.
Now 20, Kenyon said she was first beaten by a transgender rival as a 14-year-old, and is imploring fellow athletes to express their opinions in Pennsylvania, where Lia Thomas – formerly a biological male competitor called Will – has been breaking records in the pool.
Athletes and their families have tended to speak under anonymity when they have discussed the case publicly because of reputed fears of repercussions, and Kenyon worries that part of the problem is a reluctance from those affected to raise their voices to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and other bodies.
Lets hope that other female athletes are inspired to speak out #PennCheats pic.twitter.com/0wwXzn1VDn
— andrea (@annndreeaaaaa) December 17, 2021
“I just want to say to the female athletes in Pennsylvania, don’t let anyone silence you,” Kenyon told FOX.
“Speak up: tell the NCAA, your athletic directors and your coaches that you want fair competition, because speaking up about this is nowhere near as scary as it seems and the amount of support is overwhelming.”