There is a hot debate surrounding the NCAA’s decision to allow transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports. The debacle first came to light when Riley Gaines, a prominent NCAA swimmer from the University of Kentucky, quit her career in protest against the decision. Now Gaines’ challenge to the NCAA’s new policy has prompted other athletes to speak out against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer of all time, also shared his opinion on the matter. Now, Sharron Davies, another great icon in swimming, has come out in support of Gaines’ argument. She was the guest on Gaines’ podcast, “Gaines for Girls” on July 12. Both women discussed the potential impact of transgender athletes on the fairness and integrity of women’s sports. Davies shared her own experience from back in the day when she missed out on the gold at the Olympics for similar reasons.

Sharon Davies Draws on Personal Experience to Advocate for Fairness in Women’s Sports

Riley Gaines spoke about her disappointment when the iconic transgender athlete Lia Thomas was allowed to compete in women’s events. Riley had tied with Lia for the fifth position. She felt upset because she lost out on an opportunity to place higher due to the inclusion of Thomas. According to her, Thomas had an unfair biological advantage because of her male physiology, which gave her a higher muscle mass and different bone structure. Sharron Davies agreed with Riley’s concern and talked about how important it is to ensure fair play in sports.

Davies spoke about how gender segregation in sports is necessary to maintain a level playing field. She spoke from experience on the topic, referencing her own career as an Olympic swimmer. In the 1980s, she was cheated out of an Olympic medal by the East Germans, who used performance-enhancing drugs. In the Riley Gaines versus Lia Thomas controversy, she sided with Riley as she felt that allowing Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, to compete in women’s swimming events would be no different than allowing a cisgender man to compete against women.

On the podcast, she said that “this would never happen in men’s sport”. She blamed the authorities for not caring about women’s sports. Riley and Sharron weren’t the only ones to highlight the issue of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Other swimmers have also weighed in on the topic.

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Michael Phelps has never shied away from speaking out on a matter that he feels is affecting his beloved sport. In an interview with Insider, when Phelps talked about Lia Thomas’ participation in women’s events, saying, “I think sports should all be played on an even playing field”. Olympian Daley Thompson, alongside iconic athletes like Duncan Goodhew Lord Coe, and Nicole Cooke have also joined the fray. They have petitioned the International Olympic Committee to disregard the victory of East German athletes because of their unfair advantage.

Read More: “We Are Being Marginalised”: Banned Transgender Athlete Devastated As Olympic Dreams Shattered By World Athletics

Many transgender rights activists have begun protesting against Gaines’ campaign for separate transgender events and facilities. They are advocating for equal rights for trans athletes like Lia Thomas. Davies’ book “Unfair Play” and Riley’s podcast have also engendered support for their argument. Now it remains to see what the authorities will decide in the end.

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