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two for one: transgender cyclists take gold and silver medals at chicago women's race
two transgender cyclists took the top spots at a women’...
oct 13 2023
1 minute read
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two transgender cyclists took the top spots at a women’s race in illinois over the weekend.
tessa johnson, 25, came in first in the women’s singlespeed race at the chicago cyclocross cup while evelyn williamson, 30, followed in second on oct. 7.
the only biological female on the podium, allison zmuda, had to settle for third place.
earlier this year, the transgender cyclists wiped out the competition at other women’s races and the debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports rages on.
the cyclocross cup featured more than a dozen different competitions for men, women, and junior athletes.
johnson also placed first in the women’s cat half, taking home $150 in prize money, while williamson came short in fourth, but still received a $75 prize.
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the race’s website states transgender athletes are welcome as they follow usa cycling’s transgender athlete participation policies, which allows participants in non-elite races to self-select their gender.
“the ccc has always been first and foremost about fostering a positive & supportive community built around competitive cyclocross racing, and that means welcoming and challenging everyone who wants to contribute to the series and make it better,” according to race organizers.
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they noted: “discrimination or harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, sportsball team affiliation, or any other stupid idea someone comes up with to belittle others will not be tolerated.”
🚴♀️did you know that men in women's @usacycling races are taking more than podium spots and prize money from women?
— 🚲 (@i_heart__bikes) october 9, 2023
men also take category upgrade points when they compete in the women's field.
why does this matter? see the thread.👇🧵 pic.twitter.com/i2dzbgwnfe
in august, williamson and johnson won the racing-athletic relay cross in chicago, competing under the team name “ts-estrodolls.”
williamson has won 18 titles since she began racing in women’s categories in 2017.
critics slammed usa cycling for allowing the riders to even compete.
“race organizers of @usacycling need to stop calling these ‘women’s events.’ you are fooling nobody,” former track and field coach linda blade wrote on x.
race organizers of @usacycling need to stop calling these “women’s events.”
— linda blade (@coachblade) october 9, 2023
you are fooling nobody.
these are “beta-male races” where some women get to be involved.
in the process you are turning your “sport” into a joke.#cycling #usa #unsporting #nonsense https://t.co/kns60x0f6w
“these are ‘beta-male races’ where some women get to be involved,” she continued.
“in the process, you are turning your ‘sport’ into a joke.”
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