Two male cyclists cleaned up at a women’s cycling event in Chicago, storming to “victory” to take gold and silver medals.
Tessa Johnson, 25, and Evelyn Williamson, 30, are both men who claim to be transgender “women.”
However, their clear advantage over female competitors saw them dominate the races, leaving real women in the race little hope of victory.
The domination of the event by two men has led to calls for stricter rules on such events to be implemented.
Johnson won first place in the Women’s SingleSpeed and Cat Half categories of the Chicago CrossCup, the Daily Mail reports.
Williamson, meanwhile, placed second in the SingleSpeed at the October 7 contest.
The pair, who are clearly biologically male, continue to dominate at women’s cycling events.
Williamson has “won” 18 titles in the women’s category in the past six years.
Johnson also won several races after previously competing, and failing to succeed, in men’s categories.
Transgender cyclists take gold AND silver medals at Chicago women's race, as critics insist pair had considerable biological advantage over female rivals https://t.co/qiDRxknw14 pic.twitter.com/b2hsIiCxCO
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) October 13, 2023
The pair compete under the team name “TS-ESTRODOLLS,” referring to the female hormone estrogen.
Many argue that the name is a slap in the face to the women they are beating.
The event has previously drawn scores of women to enter.
However, many have called for women to boycott the races to force the event to become transgender-only.
This year, only four real women entered the competition.
Johnson beats the women by 2 1/2 minutes, 4 women enter the race that usually draws over 20 women. @usacycling is killing off our grassroots development of women, ignoring UCI policy. https://t.co/hqEjdhVjiB
— Inga Thompson Fdn OLY💚🤍💜 (@ithompsonfdn) October 9, 2023
The event’s organizers, the Chicago Cycling Club (CCC), say that they follow the rules of USA Cycling’s Transgender Athlete Participation policies.
They call it “stupid” to discriminate on the basis of “gender identification.”
Their website states:
“The CCC has always been first and foremost about fostering a positive & supportive community built around competitive cyclo-cross racing, and that means welcoming and challenging everyone who wants to contribute to the series and make it better.”
“Discrimination or harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, sports ball team affiliation, or any other stupid idea someone comes up with to belittle others will not be tolerated.”
Calling for men to be banned from competing in women’s events “will not be tolerated,” according to the CCC.
The real women need to boycott these races.
— Beth Weissman (@beth_weissman) October 13, 2023
These guys aren’t even trying anymore 🤦🏻♂️
— WestCoast_Life (@westcoast_lyfe) October 13, 2023
Could we have photos of the actual winners? I’m talking about the biological women that finished first second and third.
— Kate (@RowdyKate2) October 13, 2023
How dumb can you be as a race organizer to think all that matters in the women's race is whether or not you identify as a man.
— female_bike_racer (@female_cyclist) October 13, 2023
Excellent thread – please read. Men who say they are women in the F cat steal all sorts of things from females – upgrade points, medals, money, self-confidence, the knowledge that training leads to progress etc.
Men need to get the hell out of the F category!! https://t.co/lL5BeXuqDD
— Mara Yamauchi (@mara_yamauchi) October 10, 2023
Exactly right- women will self exclude because of all these males competing. So once again- by including, you are excluding. Sex categories actually increase inclusion- if they remain male(open) and female only!!! https://t.co/BlVZTHPtQk
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) October 9, 2023
And to those complaining almost all I talk about is this- it’s because there are more and more male bodied trans people (males) competing against females. And winning more and more. This is patently wrong and unfair. So I will keep speaking out, thank you. https://t.co/L6qd0Euf9G
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) October 9, 2023
There are SO MANY males taking upgrade points from women currently.@usacycling: Align your policies with the UCI.
These men are not eligible for elite international competition or championships. Yet they're affecting the race outcomes and upgrade eligibility of women who are. pic.twitter.com/YLRzCH7kQS
— 🚲 (@i_heart__bikes) October 9, 2023
