Trans athletes skip state event against girls; critics blamed by governing body.

Amanda PrestigiacomoMay 28, 2023

Male Athletes Who Identify as Female Withdraw from California State Track and Field Championship

Two male high school athletes who identify as female were set to compete in the girls’ 1,600-meter run at the California State preliminary Track and Field Championship on Friday. However, Athena Ryan and Lorelei Barrett were no-shows at the event after qualifying in sectionals. Ryan’s sectional win made headlines earlier this month when the girl who was edged out by Ryan expressed her dismay at the unfair situation.

Both boys (Athena Ryan and Lorelei Barrett) who qualified for the girls high school track and field state championship in California didn’t not compete in prelims today.

Did they realize they clearly possess an unfair advantage? Or is that too optimistic? pic.twitter.com/7zNMeYcNqg

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 27, 2023

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) permits male athletes who identify as female to compete in the female category. However, parents, female athletes, and political figures have voiced outrage over such rules regarding trans-identifying athletes, arguing the biological advantages male athletes have over women.

CIF Takes the Side of Ryan and Barrett

CIF seemed to take the side of Ryan and Barrett, taking issue with critics, whom CIF suggests “harassed” the trans athletes. “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 governing body told The Los Angeles Times. CIF added in its statement that the group “strongly denounces discriminatory or harassing behaviors that impact our student-athletes’ opportunities to participate in interscholastic competitions.”

CIF’s own guidelines permit male athletes who identify as female to compete in the female category. “All students should have the opportunity to participate in CIF activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records,” the group’s rules state.

Outrage Over Trans-Identifying Athletes

Riley Gaines, a leading collegiate swimmer, has been one of the most influential voices on the matter. She was edged out in NCAA competition last year by an athlete named Lia Thomas, a male swimmer who claims to be female. Thomas notably swam against males with mediocre results, before switching to female competitions, where the athlete has cleaned up.

“Both boys (Athena Ryan and Lorelei Barrett) who qualified for the girls high school track and field state championship in California didn’t not compete in prelims today,” Gaines posted to Twitter on Friday. “Did they realize they clearly possess an unfair advantage? Or is that too optimistic?”