37-year-old Rachel McKinnon set a new world record and won her second world title.
The transgender cyclist defended herself from critics who said she has an ‘unfair advantage’ due to her large frame and shouldn’t be allowed to join the competition.
McKinnon won gold in the 35 to 39 age category sprint at the Masters Track World Championships.
It was in 2012 when she started her sports career after transitioning and she has been criticized by top sportswomen and pressure groups. Critics said the 6ft frame she got when she was male gives her advantage.
Among McKinnon’s critics are pressure groups Fair Play for Women and Save Women’s Sports, and Martina Navratilova, an athlete that she managed to beat last year.
In addition, top British cyclist Victoria Hood also criticized her, saying that her transgender status gave her an advantage against women who are born female.
“The science is there. The science is clear – it tells us that trans women have an advantage,” she expressed.
“It is a human right to participate in sport. I don’t think it’s a human right to identify into whichever category you choose.”
McKinnon replied to Ms. Wood’s comments: “We are either full and equal women, or not. We are.”
Last year, McKinnon competed against Martina Navratilova who said that letting transgender women complete in sport against those who are born biologically female was ‘cheating’ and ‘insane.’
McKinnon called Navratilova ‘transphobic’ then she replied: “McKinnon has vigorously defended her right to compete, pointing out that, when tested, her levels of testosterone, the male hormone, were well within the limits set by world cycling’s governing body.
“Nevertheless, at 6ft tall and weighing more than 14 stone, she appeared to have a substantial advantage in muscle mass over her rivals.”
Jennifer Wagner also said that losing to McKinnon was ‘unfair.’ But McKinnon replied and pointed out that she and Wagner have raced more than 10 times in the past and Wagner managed to beat her 11 times.
McKinnon said: “At Masters Worlds, she beat me in the 500m TT. She beat me in six of seven races at the 2017 Intelligentsia Cup. In 2016 she beat me in all three Speed Week crits. She’s won 11 of our 13 races.
“And it’s unfair? Excuse me?”
Paula Radcliffe, who has held the Women’s World Marathon Record since 2003, said in March this year: “There are absolutely probably hundreds of transgenders who want to take part in sport for all of the other benefits that it brings.
“And all we’re saying is: ‘’That’s fine, but not elite sport.’”
McKinnon then accused her of spreading ‘irrational fear.’
Olympic winner Sharron Davies also said: “I believe there is a fundamental difference between the binary sex you are born with and the gender you may identify as.
“To protect women’s sport, those with a male sex advantage should not be able to compete in women’s sport.”
McKinnon managed to beat Dawn Orwick for this year’s title, setting anew master’s world record in the 200m time trial. Her statement noted that her record in the 35-39 category is still behind the 40-44 age category record set by Carolien Van Herrikhuyzen and also behind the 45-49 age category set by Gea Johnson.
She wrote: “Many people claim to support trans women. But often they only support us until our lives impact them in any meaningful way.
“In my case, people literally say they support trans women… but not in sport.
“There can be no ”but”. We are either full and equal women, or not. We are.”
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