Two transgender female high school athletes, Athena Ryan and Lorelei Barrett, did not participate in the California State preliminary Track and Field Championship due to concerns for their safety. They were subjected to discriminatory and harassing behaviors, which led them to withdraw from the competition. The California Interscholastic Federation denounced the behavior and blamed it for the runners’ withdrawal. Some coaches expressed support for all athletes, while others suggested that transgender girls should run in separate races. College swimming star, Riley Gaines, criticized the runners for possessing an unfair advantage.
Link to the original article https://nypost.com/2023/05/27/california-transgender-runners-no-show-state-track-championships-following-backlash/