New Multi-Sport Athlete Making Waves

Step aside, Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders; there’s a new multi-sport athlete grabbing attention.

This time, it’s a male athlete who identifies as a woman.

Back in 2018, the athlete known as Rachel McKinnon became the first openly transgender competitor to win the Women’s Masters Track Cycling World Championships in the UK. They followed that up with another victory in 2019.

McKinnon has stated that having an advantage over female rivals doesn’t justify being barred from competing in women’s events.

British Cycling has adapted its policies, and in 2022 they introduced new categories for “transgender and non-binary” participants, moving away from a singular female category.

As women’s cycling events faced cancellation, McKinnon transitioned into a different sport under the name Veronica Ivey at the end of 2019.

Now, at 44, Ivey is making strides in Canadian Women’s Golf.

Recently, Ivey, alongside teammates Nonie Marler and Arum Choi, secured British Columbia’s third consecutive title at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Ivey expressed enjoyment in competing outside of the province, noting, “We fought hard. The course was in incredible condition, and we’re proud to bring it back to BC.”

Reports indicated Ivey won two different women’s individual championships earlier this June, the British Columbia Mid-Amateur Championship and the Mid-Master Championship.

After her initial win, Ivey remarked on social media about the challenges of golf compared to cycling. “I swear to you, golf has got to be the most difficult sport,” she shared. “By comparison, cycling was very easy. Cycling stresses you for maybe five minutes, while golf can last five hours of constant tension.”

In further commentary, Ivey mentioned aspirations of developing a 280-yard drive, highlighting the few female players on the Pro Tour.

Ivey’s recent victory marks their second consecutive championship, much to the delight of Golf Canada, which celebrated the achievement on social media.

Ivey has consistently claimed her identity as a woman, addressing numerous media sources about her gender identity. In 2019, she emphasized being “legally and medically female.”

During a 2022 interview, she asserted, “I’m a woman. That’s a fact. My identity records, racing license, and medical documentation all say ‘female.’”

Policy Framework

Ivey faces no restrictions from Golf Canada, which does not request “disclosure or documentation” regarding gender identity.

According to Golf Canada’s Transgender Participation Policy, athletes can compete in the gender category they identify with.

However, Ivey will not compete in the LPGA due to a policy change requiring players to be female at birth, set to take effect by December 2024.

Golf Canada has not provided any comments regarding these developments.