Caitlyn Jenner, the former Olympian turned Fox News commentator, has once again sparked controversy with her remarks about trans women in sports. Jenner, who won the decathlon gold at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, has been vocal in her opposition to trans women competing in women’s sports. She recently stated that trans women are not “real women” and has called for the reintroduction of chromosome testing in sports, a stance that has drawn sharp criticism from various corners of the LGBTQ+ community.
Since publicly coming out as transgender in 2015, Jenner, now 74, has consistently been a divisive figure within the trans community. Her views often align more with conservative perspectives, as she has frequently criticized what she refers to as “woke culture” and the so-called “radical rainbow mafia.” These terms reflect her broader criticisms of movements advocating for more inclusive policies and practices concerning gender identity and expression.
In a recent discussion on the topic of trans athletes, Jenner joined ex-Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies in an exclusive feature for The Telegraph. Both Jenner and Davies have been outspoken critics of trans inclusion in women’s sports, and during the interview, they reminisced about their Olympic careers and the mandatory sex tests they were required to undergo to compete. Davies recounted the simplicity of the sex screening process in 1976, which involved a simple swab to the inside of the mouth. She argued that such tests should return, citing the belief that biological sex is immutable and essential for fair competition.
Jenner echoed these sentiments, expressing concern that if current policies on trans athletes continue, it could spell the end of women’s sports as they are known today. She pointed to her own experience, noting that despite undergoing hormone therapy, she can still hit a golf ball 280 yards, suggesting that the impact of female hormones on athletic performance is minimal. Jenner’s stance is that while she respects the identities and pronouns of trans individuals, she does not believe that trans women should compete in women’s sports due to their biological makeup.
During the interview, Jenner also delved into her views on womanhood. She acknowledged that many in the trans community would strongly disagree with her perspective, but she remains firm in her belief that biological sex cannot be changed. Jenner stated, “I will use your preferred pronouns, I will treat you as a female, you can run and dress and do whatever you want, I have nothing against that, it’s fine, but biologically you’re still male.” She added that while she considers herself a trans person and has legally changed her gender markers on all identification, she still recognizes her biological reality as male.
The interview comes as Jenner prepares to launch a new podcast with her ex-son-in-law, Lamar Odom, titled Keeping Up With Sports. The show, which Jenner will co-host alongside Zach Hirsch, aims to offer a fresh perspective on sports. The first episode is set to feature boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard as a guest, indicating that the podcast will not shy away from engaging with major figures in the sports world.
Jenner’s latest comments have reignited debates around the inclusion of trans athletes in sports, raising questions about fairness, identity, and the evolving understanding of gender in society.
