On July 23, 2024, the prestigious Marymore Grand Prix saw a groundbreaking moment as transgender athletes swept the podium in the elite women’s Madison event.
For the first time, every medalist in this race was a trans woman, marking a historic shift in the sport.
At the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome in Redmond, the sight of the heavily-built winners towering over their competitors sparked strong reactions.
Jordan Lothrop, who had previously competed against men in Canada, took the top spot.
Lothrop, a sailing enthusiast from British Columbia, had ranked 22nd in the men’s Victoria Cycling League last year.
Second place went to Jenna Lingwood, a 43-year-old who transitioned in 2017.
Lingwood, a physics graduate and a Supply Chain R&D Engineer at Intel, has been racing for Team S&M in Oregon.
In third place was Eva Lin, a 28-year-old Californian who had previously raced as Henry Lin for San Jose State University’s men’s team.
Lin’s recent performances have soared since switching to the women’s team.
The Union Cycliste Internationale’s ban on transgender athletes who transitioned after male puberty has set the stage for heated debates.
USA Cycling’s new regulations, introduced in January, require transgender athletes to undergo ‘elite athlete fairness evaluations’ and maintain low testosterone levels for 24 months to compete in top events.
However, for amateur levels, a simpler self-identity verification process suffices.
This shift in rules came in response to controversies, including two trans athletes taking top spots at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships last October.
The debate over transgender women in female sports remains one of the most contentious issues today.
Supporters argue that excluding trans women is unjust and highlights their vulnerability, while critics contend that the physical advantages retained from male puberty are unfair.
The Broader Debate
The conversation extends beyond cycling.
Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who won an NCAA championship in 2022, faced a ban from international events after a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling.
The NCAA allows trans athletes to compete if they’ve undergone a year of testosterone suppression treatment, but the policy is under review amid concerns about physical advantages.
Recently, the Biden White House proposed changes to Title IX to prevent schools from banning transgender athletes but has not yet addressed this in its latest protections for LGBTQ students.
Meanwhile, many US states have enacted bans on transgender athletes, though Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox vetoed such a ban, citing the low number of transgender athletes in his state.
Public and Venue Reactions
At the Marymore Grand Prix, the dominance of trans athletes did little to quell criticism.
Some felt the inclusion of trans women in women’s events was unfair, suggesting that the race should be classified differently.
The venue’s policy allows athletes to choose their category based on gender identity, following USA Cycling’s rules.
This inclusivity stance, however, did not pacify all detractors, who expressed frustration over the perceived advantages and the implications for female competitors.
Overall, the event highlighted the ongoing debate about transgender participation in sports and underscored the challenges faced by both athletes and organizers in navigating these complex issues.
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