Trans sporting events would ensure equality
Olympic gold medal-winning road cyclist Nicole Cooke was spot-on in her article last week when she wrote that trans athletes must compete in a separate category so that each group can enjoy fair competition on an equal basis.
She provided a very succinct and clear explanation most reasonable people would concur with.
Nick Ellis, London
Sport is such an equaliser and, whether we participate or spectate, it has always been enjoyed at every level from the Olympics to local village football matches.
In today’s ‘all-inclusive’ society, we are very accepting and tolerant, but allowing biological men to compete in female sport is a step too far. It is not right that women and girls are dropping out of sports they love because they are forced to compete against the sheer physique and strength of those born as men.
Stasha Martin, East Preston, West Sussex
It’s great that trans cyclist Emily Bridges is living as her true self.
It must have been so hard to grow up knowing that she was in the wrong body. I really hope she goes on to have a successful career – despite recently being blocked to ride in women’s events.
We should be ashamed of ourselves if we put a stop to that.
A. Lee, Blackpool
The LGBT community preach about equality, but there isn’t any equality when a woman in a man’s body tries to compete with women.
There is clearly an unfair disadvantage. Trans people should compete against other trans people in a separate category.
Mark Peterson, Swindon
Thank you Nicole for bravely speaking out about trans women competing in female sports. It needs to be urgently addressed by sport administrators.
If it is not quickly resolved, I fear it could become the death knell for women’s sport.
Of course, trans athletes must be allowed to compete, but it has to be in their own separate category.
Rob Lewis, Lincoln
If we don’t accept gender as binary, we should simply have a number of different categories.
Some women have naturally high testosterone and are banned from competing unless they reduce it by medication.
Why not have different classifications as they have in boxing, with weight categories? Harold Andrews, Bradford
Trans women strongly wish to compete in sports against biological females. Fine, but should they win, award them just a token prize. Accolades and medals should be bestowed only upon rightful and deserving competitors.
Amanda Yates, Newcastle upon Tyne
In view of this debate about trans athletes, it seems only fair that all genders should compete together.
Maybe that is the only ‘woke’ way to do it, as it’s just getting over-complicated now.
Keith Scott, Basingstoke