Trans fencer’s team slam ‘conduct’ of kneeling – Sports News
Trans fencer Redmond Sullivan’s team, Iconic Fencing Club, has launched a assertion relating to the incident between Sullivan and her opponent, Stephanie Turner.
Over the weekend, Sullivan confronted off towards Turner on the University of Maryland in The Cherry Blossom, a match held by USA Fencing. Sullivan competed within the Division IA Women’s Foil, although as an alternative of being allowed to showcase her expertise, she discovered herself embroiled in controversy.
In a clip that circulated social media, Turner and Sullivan are seen placing on their masks to arrange to face off. However, Turner instantly took off her masks and kneeled in protest of having to face Sullivan, who’s a transgender athlete, resulting in Turner’s disqualification from the match.
In the wake of the incident, Iconic launched a assertion to Express U.S. Sports relating to Turner’s actions on that fateful day. “Red has followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE (the international fencing governing organization) and USA Fencing (the national organization),” Cooper Johnson, the proprietor of Iconic, acknowledged in an electronic mail.
“She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so. Fencing is rooted in a deep tradition of honor, sportsmanship, inclusion, and respect, and in a sport that prides itself on these values, the type of behavior expressed by Red’s opponent has no place.
“Iconic Fencing Club helps Red in her fencing journey and can proceed to take action sooner or later.” Iconic’s comments come after tennis legend Martina Navratilova made her thoughts known on the incident on social media.
Navratilova, who has been openly gay since 1981, expressed her displeasure with seeing Sullivan compete against Turner and the latter’s disqualification from the tournament. “This is what occurs when feminine athletes protest! Anyone right here nonetheless thinks that is honest??? I’m fuming… and disgrace on @USAFencing, disgrace on you for doing this,” she wrote on X.
“How dare you throw ladies underneath the gender bull—- bus!!!” Even with vitriol, USA Fencing stands by Sullivan and her competing against Turner, specifying that the latter was disqualified because she broke the FIE’s ruling regarding fair play among all competitors.
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“USA Fencing enacted our present transgender and non-binary athlete coverage in 2023,” USA Fencing’s statement said. “The coverage was designed to broaden entry to the game of fencing and create inclusive, secure areas. The coverage is predicated on the precept that everybody ought to have the power to take part in sports activities and was primarily based upon the analysis out there of the day.
“We understand that the conversation on equity and inclusion pertaining to transgender participation in sport is evolving. USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion, and we’re committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges, or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic & Paralympic movement.
“We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to proceed sharing them with us because the matter evolves. It’s important for the fencing neighborhood to have interaction on this dialogue, however we anticipate this dialog to be performed respectfully, whether or not at our tournaments or in online areas. The strategy to progress is by respectful dialogue primarily based in proof.”
USA Fencing added: “In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification was not associated to any personal assertion however was merely the direct outcome of her determination to say no to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE guidelines clearly prohibit,” USA Fencing’s statement continued.
“USA Fencing is obligated to observe the letter of these guidelines and be certain that contributors respect the requirements set on the worldwide degree. We stay dedicated to inclusivity within our sport whereas additionally upholding each requirement dictated by our governing physique.”
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