Austin Killips, a biological man, has been awarded first place in the women’s category in New Mexico’s Tour of the Gila cycling race. There had been some controversy leading up to the race, but organizers allowed the race to go on.
Many in the sport have questioned the fairness of New Mexico and race organizers allowing a man to compete against women. Clearly, there is an advantage, and Killups won the race.
In congratulating her on Twitter after the victory, organizers turned off the comments section ostensibly to silence any dissenting voices willing to point out the absurdity and unfairness of letting Killups ride. There were more than a few.
The presence of Austin Killups on the ladies’ side of the road actually spurred former champion Hannah Arensman, just 25, to retire from the sport. Arensman insisted that men claiming to be women have an “unfair advantage” in the sport. Anyone should be able to see that, but apparently, race organizers weren’t persuaded.
This is how the Democratic Party 'respects' women now. Make sure to remember at the ballot box.https://t.co/UPtAE3TzJy
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) May 1, 2023
Arensman said in her statement in March per Breitbart: “I have decided to end my cycling career. At my last race at the recent UCI Cyclocross National Championships in the elite women’s category in December 2022, I came in 4th place, flanked on either side by male riders awarded 3rd and 5th places. My sister and family sobbed as they watched a man finish in front of me, having witnessed several physical interactions with him throughout the race,” she continued.
“Additionally, it is difficult for me to think about the very real possibility I was overlooked for an international selection on the US team at Cyclocross Worlds in February 2023 because of a male competitor,”
Aransman also signed onto a brief filed in the West Virginia legislature to support the state’s Save Women’s Sports legislation filed in March. It remains to be seen if West Virginis will do the right thing or follow in the footsteps of science-denying states like New Mexico.
This woman just won Tour of the Gila. You wouldn’t know it, because a man was allowed to compete in this elite women’s race, which he of course won, taking the podium, and the prize money. So cool and progressive, right? https://t.co/KmE5idfJuT
— alice, maybe (@NotMaryAnnObv) May 1, 2023
In a stirring message, the former champion talked about her experience and pointed out the obvious science behind why men shouldn’t compete in women’s sports: “I was born into a family of athletes. Encouraged by my parents and siblings, I competed in sports from a young age, and I followed in my sister’s footsteps, climbing the ranks to become an elite cyclocross racer. Over the past few years, I have had to race directly with male cyclists in women’s events. As this has become more of a reality, it has become increasingly discouraging to train as hard as I do only to have to lose to a man with the unfair advantage of an androgenized body that intrinsically gives him an obvious advantage over me, no matter how hard I train.”
Many on Twitter took advantage of the moment to congratulate the second-place rider and criticize race organizers for allowing the farce to take place.
Hopefully, Aransman can become a loud voice for fairness in women’s sports and stand with Riley Gaines in calling for protection and the elimination of men from women’s sports.
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