Tennis legend Martina Navratilova said that she was 'smoking' after a female fender was disqualified because he refused to undergo a trans opponent.
Fencer Stephanie Turner would fight with Redmond Sullivan this weekend during a USA Fencing Tournament, but took a knee in protest before the game started and the referee told me that she would not compete.
She was then shown a black card, which meant her disqualification of the game and eventually the tournament.
Navratilova, who has been an avid critic of transgender women who participated in sports, saw video of Turner's protest and the subsequent disqualification and was furious.
“This is what happens when female athletes protest!,” She wrote on X. “Everyone here still thinks this is honest ??? I'm messing around … and shame @usafencing, you are ashamed that you did this. How do you dare to throw women under the gender bulls *** bus !!! '
A fan responded to the 18-time Grand Slam winner that they thought that men and women 'should be able to compete in screens.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova said she 'rumbled' in the disqualification of one fencer
Stephanie Turner (right) was disqualified from her tournament after taking a knee and refused to compete against Redmond Sullivan, who is transgender
Sullivan switched from Wagner College's Squad to his women's team last year
“You would believe incorrectly,” Navratilova shot back. 'Power is important in most sports and it is certainly important for screens. And that is only one advantage.
Before she was confronted with Sullivan – who switched from the men's team from Wagner College to his women's team last year – Turner had completed four games at the tournament.
Sullivan finally placed the 24th of the 39 in the competition.
About her decision to protest, Turner told Fox News Digital: 'I saw that I would be in a swimming pool with Redmond and from there I said:' Ok, let's do it. I'm going to take the knee. “
'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'm 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 thin this individual. '
'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'm sorry. I have a lot of love and respect for you, but I will not denounce you. '
USA Fencing later issued a statement stating that the disqualification of Turner 'was not related to a personal statement', but instead 'the direct result of her decision to refuse an eligible opponent, the Fie [International Fencing Federation] Rules clearly forbid.
Nevertheless, the explanation defended strong transgender recording in sport.
“USA Fencing has established our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023,” it started. 'The policy is designed to expand access to the screens and to create inclusive, safe spaces.
Sullivan was eventually placed 24th of the 39 in the competition at the weekend in Maryland
Sullivan seemed confused and asked Turner what happened during the protest
'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.
'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. '
The statement concluded that the organization was “committed to inclusiveness within our sport and at the same time maintained any requirement determined by our administrative body.”
