Virginia Tech swimmer Reka Gyorgy misplaced her spot to compete in Friday’s 500 freestyle nationwide championship as a consequence of transgender competitor Lia Thomas.
Gyorgy’s story of getting booted out of competition — knocked all the way down to the seventeenth spot within the preliminary meet — went viral after a teammate shared Gyorgy’s plight spent towards qualifying for her remaining NCAA meet however dropping out to a organic man.
Thomas completed the five hundred with a record-breaking time of 4:33.24 after registering 4:33.82 within the prelims.
Gyorgy determined to additional her qualm with Thomas’ addition by submitting a letter to the NCAA, calling for the preservation of honest competitors in ladies’s athletics as the topic of transgenderism takes heart stage.
“With all due respect, I want to handle one thing that could be a drawback in our sport proper now and hurting athletes, particularly feminine swimmers,” acknowledged the letter, as relayed by Fox Digital’s Ryan Gaydos.
The Hungarian-born swimmer supplied assist for Thomas however didn’t look previous the variations that males pose when competing towards ladies.
“However, I want to critique the NCAA guidelines that enable her to compete towards us, who’re biologically ladies,” Gyorgy added.
“I’m penning this letter proper now in hopes that the NCAA will open their eyes and alter these guidelines sooner or later. It doesn’t promote our sport in a great way, and I believe it’s disrespectful towards the biologically feminine swimmers who’re competing within the NCAA.”
“It appears like the ultimate spot was taken from me due to the NCAA’s choice to let somebody who isn’t a organic feminine compete. …
“It hurts me, my group and different ladies within the pool. One spot was taken away from the woman who obtained ninth within the 500 free and didn’t make it again to the ultimate, stopping her from being an All-American. Each occasion that transgender athletes competed in was one spot taken away from organic females all through the meet.”
The swimmer didn’t relent on the NCAA’s sidestepping, which has allowed Thomas to proceed competing and setting information in ladies’s swimming.
“It’s the results of the NCAA and their lack of curiosity in defending their athletes. I ask the NCAA take time to consider all the opposite organic ladies in swimming, attempt to suppose how they’d really feel in the event that they [were] in our footwear. Make the suitable adjustments for our sport and for a greater future in swimming.”
Comply with alongside on Twitter: @AlejandroAveela