Transgender athletes in women's sports: enough already?
Let's discuss the most high-profile scandals related to LGBTQ+ issues in sports in Canada and the US.
The topic has sparked discussions multiple times, but in the last month, there have been three conflicts in Canada and its neighbor, America, that have divided society into two camps. They are related to the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports.
It should be noted that in Canada and the United States, laws are in place that allow anyone who identifies as a woman to participate in women's competitions. There are no requirements for confirmation of gender identity, only the participant's word is sufficient. Even if the athlete has a beard, broad shoulders, and wrists wider than those of their female competitors.
Canadian powerlifting coach Avi Silverberg used these rules to his advantage. However, he entered the women's competition to protest. The strong athlete instantly broke all possible records, lifting a weight from his chest that exceeded his own weight. He did this to demonstrate the absurdity of gender rules in the Canadian and American Powerlifting Federation. He also responded to transgender athlete Anne Andres.
Andres, who visually differs little from the man she previously was, holds the last record in Canada's super heavyweight category. She won 8 out of 9 competitions she participated in and mocked her female competitors, calling them weak.
Angry girls first turned to the national powerlifting federation but did not receive a response. Then they called on Avi for help, who couldn't refuse them, because he considers the gender self-identification rule in sports to be madness. Anne Andres herself called the new women's champion a coward and a hypocrite.
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