“What an utter joke": Navratilova reacts to transgender athlete winning women's race.
OtherThursday, 21 September 2023 at 22:00
Martina
Navratilova reacted to the victory of a transgender athlete in a women's race.
The
discussion about the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports
competitions remains controversial. The 18-times Grand Slam champion, Martina
Navratilova, has expressed her disagreement with allowing them to compete in
the women's category on several occasions, and she has once again voiced her
opinion.
According
to information shared on Twitter, it was revealed that Kaylee Horn won a 5km
race in just over 16 minutes, far ahead of Rita Petrocco, who finished in
second place with over 24 minutes:
"5k
race in Ottawa: trans-identifying man raced in F 50-59 category and came in
first of all women, beating out 2nd place teenage track star, ruining a
glorious moment for her. Winner's time would actually be a world record for
women in that age group."
"What
an utter joke," Martina Navratilova wrote.
Navratilova
has previously expressed that she is in favor of men who identify as women
participating in sports, as long as they compete in the male category or in the
"open" category:
"Can
males who identify as women be accommodated in sports? Of course. They can play
in the men’s category. The men’s category can be redefined as 'open.' Or they
can create their own events, as the Gay Games have done every four years since
1982," she said recently.
"I
support any accommodations so long as male athletes do not take participation
opportunities or scholarships from female athletes," Martina Navratilova
added.
"The
female category was created to provide opportunities for women to compete
fairly. It was always intended to exclude males. We need to keep excluding
them. I promised to educate myself, and I have. I plan to keep advocating for
fair competitions—and equal rights—for female athletes. I hope you’ll join
me," former world No. 1 concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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