Former Collegiate Runner Demands Return of Championship, Criticizes NCAA Trans-Inclusion Policy

Former collegiate track and field star Minna Svärd is reigniting the debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports, demanding the return of her championship title years after finishing second to a transgender athlete in the 2019 NCAA Division II Women’s 400-meter hurdles. Svärd’s renewed call for fairness comes amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the NCAA’s policies on transgender athlete participation, with critics arguing that the current framework disadvantages biological female athletes.

In an appearance on Fox News, Svärd voiced her frustration and disappointment with the NCAA’s handling of the issue, stating, "It’s time for us to speak up and actually tell people about how we feel and what we’ve been going through. Nothing about it is fair. It’s not okay that NCAA is allowing this to even go on. They absolutely need to be held accountable for what they are allowing female athletes to go through. It’s not fair."

Svärd’s criticism centers on the perceived unfairness of allowing athletes assigned male at birth to compete against biological females, citing the inherent physical advantages that males typically possess. She argues that these advantages undermine the integrity of women’s sports and deprive female athletes of opportunities to achieve their full potential.

The specific instance that fuels Svärd’s demand is her second-place finish in the 2019 NCAA Division II Women’s 400-meter hurdles, where she was defeated by CeCé Telfer, a transgender athlete. Telfer’s participation in women’s sports has been a subject of considerable debate, with some arguing that her right to compete should be protected, while others maintain that her inclusion creates an uneven playing field.

Svärd, along with other female athletes, believes that the NCAA’s policies prioritize inclusivity at the expense of fairness, leading to a situation where biological female athletes are forced to compete against individuals with inherent physical advantages. This, they argue, not only diminishes their chances of winning but also undermines the very principles of fair competition.

Speaking on "America’s Newsroom," Svärd expressed her concern that female athletes’ voices are being ignored in an effort to "make other people feel better." She lamented the fact that the debate surrounding transgender athlete participation has become increasingly politicized, with female athletes often facing accusations of transphobia for raising concerns about fairness.

Svärd further highlighted the fact that CeCé Telfer, who placed first in the women’s championship, ranked 390th in men’s competition, underscoring the significant difference in performance levels between the two categories. This, she argues, further supports the claim that biological males possess inherent physical advantages that cannot be overcome by biological females.

CeCé Telfer, on the other hand, has been fighting to continue competing in track and field and hopes to make the Olympics. However, she has been prohibited by World Athletics from competing in women’s world rankings competitions due to regulations regarding testosterone levels.

Telfer has also spoken out about the challenges she faces as a transgender athlete, stating that "anti-trans rhetoric has become louder" after President Donald Trump’s election. She questioned why some people want to "completely eradicate us from society when we’ve done nothing wrong."

Svärd responded to Telfer’s comments by asserting that "no one" is trying to "eradicate" transgender athletes, and that the only thing she and other women demand is "fairness." She emphasizes that the issue is not about discrimination but rather about ensuring a level playing field for all athletes.

Svärd wrote about her experience in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, reflecting on titles unjustly taken from biological women by male-born competitors. She lauded Trump’s February 5 executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," which aimed to establish "a clear policy protecting the integrity of female athletics."

However, the executive order came too late for women like Svärd, who had already been affected by the NCAA’s policies on transgender athlete participation. In her op-ed, Svärd called for corrections to past injustices that she says deprived female athletes of titles they earned.

The NCAA’s new policy for athletes "assigned male at birth" states that biological males may not compete on the women’s team, but they "may practice on the team consistent with their gender identity and receive all other benefits applicable to student-athletes who are otherwise eligible for practice."

An agency spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the governing body will not allow biological male athletes to compete in the women’s category based on changed birth certificates. The policy is clear that there are no waivers available, and athletes assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team with amended birth certificates or other forms of ID.

Regarding trans athletes practicing on a women’s team, an NCAA spokesperson said that male practice players have been a staple in college sports for decades, particularly in women’s basketball, and the association will continue to account for that in the policy.

The debate surrounding transgender athlete participation in women’s sports is complex and multifaceted, with strong opinions on both sides. Proponents of inclusivity argue that transgender athletes should have the right to compete in the gender category with which they identify, while critics contend that allowing biological males to compete against biological females creates an unfair advantage.

The NCAA’s current policies attempt to strike a balance between these competing interests, but they have been met with criticism from both sides. As the debate continues, it is clear that finding a solution that satisfies all stakeholders will be a challenging task. The demand for fairness and equal opportunity for all athletes remains at the heart of the discussion, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and consideration of the various perspectives involved.