Social media are in a stir after a female fencer was disqualified because he refused to face a transgender opponent, with fans' infected and unfair “burning the competition.
Stephanie Turner of the US initially stood in line to face Redmond Sullivan in a tournament at the University of Maryland earlier this week, just to take a knee and remove her mask in protest that she has been tuned to a biological man.
As a result, she was then excluded from the Cherry Blossom competition and for the rest suspended after she had shown a black card.
Turner had completed four games before he was confronted with Sullivan, who eventually came 24th of the 39 in the tournament.
After the controversial incident, fans went to social media to shield USA to disqualify a female competitor and allowing a transgenderatleet to participate.
One user who was posted on X: 'You propose biological men to compete with women, so that women are stripped of their dreams. Shame! '
Social media are in a stir after a female fencer was disqualified because he refused to have confronted a trans -rival
“Why disqualify women and not the transgender people who invade women's sport,” someone else asked.
'You are ashamed of everyone who allows men to compete with women. Shame, “wrote a third.
A fourth said: 'Your organization and your people who visit women and girls is a shame. Go f *** '.
While one simply stated: “The competition of your women is infected and unfair.”
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who has often spoken out in recent years against transgender women who participated in the female sport, also weighed the controversy by saying: “And again …”
Shortly after the disqualification of Turner, USA screens produced a statement to support Sullivan – who switched controversially to the women's team of her college – and transgender participation in sport last year.
The explanation was: 'USA Fencing established our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023. The policy is designed to expand access to the Screensport and to create inclusive, safe spaces.
'The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in sports and was based on the available research of the day.
Stephanie Turner of the US took a knee and removed her mask in protest that she was being matched against Redmond Sullivan (photo) – who switched to the women's team of her college last year
Turner immediately took a knee and removed her mask before he was confronted with Sullivan
Sullivan seemed confused and Turner asked what happened during the tournament
'We understand that the conversation about fairness and inclusion with regard to transgender participation in Sport is evolving. USA screens will always be mistaken on the side of inclusion, and we are dedicated to change the policy as more relevant evidence-based research comes to the fore, as policy changes come into effect in the wider Olympic and Paralympic movement.
'We respect the views on all sides and encourage our members to keep sharing with us as the issue evolves. It is important that the Screens Community will enter into this dialogue, but we expect that this conversation will be carried out respectfully, either in our tournaments or in online spaces. The way to make progress is based on respectful discussion in evidence.
'In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification was not related to a personal explanation, but was only the direct result of her decision to refuse an eligible opponent, the Fie [International Fencing Federation] Rules clearly forbid.
'USA Fencing is obliged to follow the letter of those rules and to ensure that participants respect the standards at an international level. We continue to commit ourselves to inclusiveness within our sport, while we also maintain any required enforcement that is determined by our administrative body. '
In the meantime, Turner explained that she was not going to take on 'a man' and chose to remove herself from the game.
The Transatleet transferred from Wagner College Men's team to the women's team last year
“I saw that I would be in a swimming pool with Redmond and from there I said:” Okay, let's do it. I'm going to take the knee, “she revealed.
'I knew what to do, because USA Fencing had not listened to women's objections. At that moment I immediately took a knee. Redmond [Sullivan] Had the impression that I would start with screens.
“So when I took the knee, I looked at the referee and I said,” I am sorry, I can't do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women's tournament. And I will not have this person. “
'Redmond has not heard me and he comes to me and he thinks I can be injured, or he doesn't understand what is happening. He asks, “Is it going?” And I said, “I am sorry. I have a lot of love and respect for you, but I will not denounce you.”
