Rhianna Benson
A controversial comment made by Caitlyn Jenner last year about the exclusion of transgender athletes from women's sports has resurfaced this week.
In March 2024, after New York lawmakers disallowed players for female teams who'd undergone a gender transition from using the county's public facilities, the ex-Olympian called for further action.
Jenner, herself transgender, added that trans athletes should be banned from women's sports altogether.
"Trans women are competing against women, taking valuable opportunities for the long protected class under Title IX and causing physical harm," the 75-year-old declared during a news conference at the time.
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Within the same week, the reality TV star claimed in a social media statement that she felt compelled to speak out on the issue, adding: "It’s biology, it is not about exclusion or not being tolerant."
Jenner had also shared a similar sentiment three years prior, telling a reporter in 2021 that the inclusion of transgender athletes in female sporting competitions 'just isn't fair'.
"We have to protect girls' sports in our schools," she added, as per the BBC. "This is a question of fairness. That's why I oppose biological boys who are trans competing in girls' sports in school."
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Unsurprisingly, given Jenner's gender identity, both of her controversial comments sparked major confusion amongst her fans when shared.
For those in need of a reminder, the father-of-six came out as transgender in 2015, 40 years after winning the men's decathlon at the 1976 Olympics.
Taking to X, one critic of Jenner's rhetoric hit out: "Imagine aligning yourself with a voting base that has absolutely zero belief in your right to exist."
"Huh !!?!" another questioned. Makes no sense......no more celebrity politicians!!"
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A third also pointed out a discrepancy at the time, writing: "Caitlyn Jenner came to NY last week to support a bill banning transgender women from competing in sports. Then yesterday, she competed in a women's golf tournament."
Despite the confusion, in the years since, Jenner has stood firmly by her beliefs, supporting an executive order put into place by Donald Trump earlier this year, which pledged to deny federal funding for schools that allow the competing of trans athletes in women's sports.
The Republican leader declared from the White House back in February: "We will defend the proud tradition of female athletes. From now on, women’s sports will be only for women. The war on women’s sports is over."
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Reacting to the news at the time, Jenner gushed on X: "Another victory in the fight for protecting women’s sports!"
She added: "President Trump signs an Executive Order keeping biological men out of women’s sports! As an Olympian, I will continue to fight this issue, lobbying sport governing body’s all over the world to follow our lead!"