Trans athlete controversy: Tennis legend slams USA Fencing after protest

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has recently called out USA Fencing after a controversial incident at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland over the weekend. Female fencer Stephanie Turner made headlines when she refused to compete against transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan and instead took a knee in protest. The referee handed Turner a black card, the most severe penalty in the sport, and she was escorted out of the event.

Navratilova, a vocal advocate for fairness in women’s sports, expressed her outrage on social media, slamming USA Fencing for throwing female athletes under the bus. She questioned the fairness of allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological females and criticized the organization for penalizing Turner for taking a stand.

Former NCAA fencer Juliana Peceli also chimed in, sharing her experience of being forced to compete against men claiming to be women. She commended Turner and other women who refuse to accept what they see as an injustice in women’s sports.

USA Fencing responded to the incident by stating that their transgender and non-binary athlete policy was implemented in 2023 to create inclusive and safe spaces for all participants. The organization emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue and evidence-based discussion within the fencing community to address the issue.

A USA Fencing spokesperson clarified that Turner’s disqualification was not a result of her stance against trans inclusion, but rather for refusing to fence an eligible opponent, which goes against FIE rules. The rule exists to maintain fair competition standards and uphold the integrity of the sport.

Turner, who identifies as a new Republican conservative, shared her disillusionment with the mainstream media and her former political beliefs. She expressed her support for the Republican party and her belief that the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports is a misguided civil rights movement.

The controversial incident at the Cherry Blossom Open has sparked a larger conversation about the intersection of gender identity and sports. As athletes like Turner continue to speak out against what they see as unfair policies, the debate over transgender inclusion in women’s sports is likely to intensify.