The debate around women’s sports and whether biological males should be allowed to compete in divisions reserved for biological females is not confined to the United States of America. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova took a major issue with Australia Gymnastic’s decision to allow biological males to compete in the female division and to allow all competitors to share the same locker room.
Navratilova went to Elon Musk’s social media platform X, where she took full advantage of the website’s insistence that free speech is a core value that social media should strive to uphold. Navratilova has some serious pull on the website, as her most recent thought has been broadcast to over half a million users at the time of writing this article.
Navratilova wrote, “To say this won’t end well is an understatement. To say Gymnastics Australia just threw females and girls under the bus is an understatement. What is wrong with you guys??? This “inclusion” actually will EXCLUDE biological women and most of all girls. #whataboutthegirls ???”
This Tweet was sent in reply to a post from journalist Oli London, which said, “Gymnastics Australia changes guidelines to allow Transgender athletes to compete in the women’s category and for biological males to undress in girls locker rooms and showers. 93% of 800,000 Australians involved in gymnastics are under the age of 12. Under the new rules, biological males will be allowed to compete in whichever category matches their gender identity and will be allowed to wear women’s uniforms. “
London continued, writing, “They will also be allowed to undress in women’s locker rooms and showers, regardless of their genitalia. The director for Gymnastics Australia defended the decision saying, “Diversity ensures our sport is better for all involved, and we want everyone to feel comfortable and supported as part of the gymnastics community.”’
This issue has been hot on the minds of Americans in recent years. Earlier this year, a high school forfeited a playoff girl’s basketball game after learning that a biological male played for the opposing team. The school’s principal said, “We believe playing against an opponent with a biological male jeopardizes the fairness of the game and the safety of our players. Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports sets a bad precedent for the future of women’s sports in general.”
The school that forfeited, The Mid Vermont Christian School, also sent a letter to state officials stating that the school would remain steadfast in their Christian beliefs. The letter said, “As a religious organization, the school has a statutory and constitutional right to make decisions based on its religious beliefs, including hiring and disciplining employees, associating with others, and in its admissions, conduct, and operations policies and procedures. By signing this form, the Mid Vermont Christian School does not waive any such rights.”
The war over women’s sports is still a raging debate all across the globe. While no winner has yet to be crowned, both sides are surely gearing up for what will be a crucial next couple of years of debate on the topic.
To say this won’t end well is an understatement. To say Gymnastics Australia just threw females and girls under the bus is an understatement. What is wrong with you guys??? This “inclusion” actually will EXCLUDE biological women and most of all girls. #whataboutthegirls ??? https://t.co/eZriHAOKsv
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) October 5, 2023
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