More than 400 former and current college, professional and Olympic athletes asked the NCAA not to ban transgender athletes from women’s college sports, according to a letter sent Tuesday.
“To all of you, as members of the NCAA’s highest governing body and an organization focused on supporting the health of not only athletes but the sport itself, we would like to remind you to focus on the long-documented needs of NCAA athletes of all genders. I sincerely hope you will guess,” the letter reads. “Rather than discriminatory attempts to keep entire groups of athletes away from the sport they love, we are focused on developing policies that advance research, education, collaboration, and policies that promote a healthy and safe environment for all athletes. I hope you will.”
The letter was signed by former NFL defensive end RK Russell, former Minnesota Vikings fullback Johnny Stanton, former WNBA basketball star Sue Bird, and U.S. women’s national soccer team co-captain Megan Rapinoe. .
In response, the NCAA stated, “College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America, and the NCAA continues to advance Title IX, making unprecedented investments in women’s sports, and ensuring that all students “We will ensure fair competition for athletes.”to NBC News.
Newly issued by NCAA guidelines Transgender women’s participation in NCAA sports in 2022. The updated requirements have three phases: The new rules will refer cases to a “national governing body,” while maintaining that transgender women must undergo at least one year of testosterone suppression treatment.
The debate surrounding transgender women’s participation in sports has become a hot topic.
A majority of Americans (69%) say transgender athletes should only participate on teams that correspond with their natal sex, according to one report. gallup Public opinion poll from June last year.
Gallup found that Democratic and Republican independents are now “slightly less supportive” of transgender athletes competing on gender-appropriate teams than they were two years ago.
This month, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which includes about 250 schools, approved a policy banning transgender athletes from women’s sports.
“As athletes, we know firsthand the power that sports have to change lives,” the athletes said in Tuesday’s letter. “Enabling transgender athletes in the NCAA to participate in the sports they love alongside their teammates as their true selves fulfills the true spirit of Olympism that we all believe in.”
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