If we do nothing, it will mean the end of women’s sports.
Friend,
Recently, legendary swimmer Michael Phelps — who also holds the all-time record for Olympic gold medals — told CNN that he simply wants to see fairness in sports.
“It's very complicated. We all should feel comfortable with who we are in our own skin. But I think sports should be played on an even playing field.”
- Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer
Phelps is referring to the NCAA guidelines that allow transgender, male-bodied athletes, like UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas, to compete on women’s collegiate sports teams — no matter the consequences for biological women.
He’s right: it is unfair. And the NCAA is meeting this week to decide the future of these guidelines.
Since swimming on the women’s team this season after three years competing as a male, Thomas has set pool, program, and meet records. In one event, Thomas was 38 seconds ahead of the next-closest female Penn swimmer.
Allowing biological males to compete against biological females limits women’s chances of success, takes spots (and potential scholarships) away from women, and places women at risk of increased injury.
Women deserve to be heard and not have their opportunities, safety, and security sacrificed on the altar of radical identity politics.
