The female Schermer who was disqualified because he refused to face a trans -athlete has revealed that her opponent warned her that she would be thrown out of the tournament.
Stephanie Turner of the US was suspended this week from a match at the University of Maryland after taking a knee and running her match against Redmond Sullivan, who is an organic man.
Despite indignation on social media, USA Fencing has supported its decision to disqualify Turner in a statement that supports Sullivan and transgender participation in sport.
In the meantime, Turner has focused on the administrative body because he 'does not listen to women's objections' about fighting a translucent opponent.
The Screenser also revealed that Sullivan warned her that she would be 'blackcarded' if she took a knee and refused to face her.
“Redmond says to me:” Well, you know, there is a member on the board of directors here who supports me, and there is a policy that recognizes me as a woman, so I can scrape and you will become black, “and I said,” I know, “Turner remembered.
Transhender Redmond Sullivan (photo) warned her opponent that she would be disqualified from a Maryland tournament before she refused to face her
Stephanie Turner of the US took a knee and ran out of her planned match against Sullivan
She also explained how Sullivan was initially confused by her protest.
“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, “said Turner.
'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.”
Social media are in a commotion about the decision of USA Fencing to disqualify Turner and allow Sullivan to continue and end up 24th of the 39 in the competition.
However, the administrative body states that it only followed the Protocol after the scoper refused to compete against an 'eligible opponent'.
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.
Turner was then thrown out of the tournament after he refused to face the Transatleet
'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. '
