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In a notable development for women’s athletics, Olympic gymnast MyKayla Skinner has officially partnered with XX-XY Athletics, an activist sportswear brand focused on promoting the rights of female athletes. This collaboration highlights the increasing concern regarding the participation of biological male transgender athletes in women’s sports, a subject that has ignited fervent debate within the sporting community.
Skinner, who earned a silver medal in the vault at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has taken a definitive stance on a contentious issue within women’s sports. Earlier this year, she began to voice her opinions, and her commitment has only deepened since then.
“I am thrilled to join forces with Jennifer Sey, the founder of XX-XY Athletics, to share my journey as both an athlete and a woman,” Skinner stated in a recent interview. “It’s crucial for every female athlete to find her voice and use it to inspire others, especially for the next generation, including my daughter.”
Confronting controversy in women’s sports
This partnership follows a public disagreement between gymnast Skinner and fellow gymnast Simone Biles regarding comments related to female athletes. The tension intensified earlier this year when Biles was involved in a social media dispute with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines.
Gaines raised concerns over a transgender softball player winning a state championship in Minnesota, which prompted Skinner to publicly express her support for Gaines’ position.
Skinner’s support for Gaines was unequivocal: “As someone who has invested countless hours into my sport, I believe that competition should uplift rather than undermine.
It’s disheartening to witness Simone branding a fellow athlete as a ‘sore loser’ for articulating legitimate concerns about fairness in women’s sports.” This statement underscores the growing divide among female athletes on this contentious issue.
Emphasizing unity among female athletes
Skinner discussed her experiences in athletics, highlighting instances of belittlement and dismissal from peers, including Biles. She underscored the need for solidarity among women in sports. “Disagreement is natural, but using one’s platform to belittle others is unacceptable,” she stated. “We should strive to elevate one another rather than tear each other down for speaking out on difficult issues.” This perspective resonates with many female athletes advocating for a united front in these conversations.
A collective effort for women’s rights in sports
Joining Skinner in this mission is Nancy Hogshead-Makar, a leading advocate for women’s sports. Hogshead, who has won three Olympic medals, is the founder of Champion Women and the Women’s Sports Policy Working Group. She has played a crucial role in advancing a petition designed to protect the women’s category in sports, which has received over 500 signatures from fellow Olympians and Paralympians.
As the first Olympic gold medal ambassador for XX-XY Athletics, Hogshead emphasized, “Only by implementing strict eligibility criteria for women’s sports can we ensure fair, safe, and respectful competition. The support we have received from over 500 athletes highlights our commitment to creating a level playing field for future generations.”
Empowering the next generation
The gold medal collection campaign highlights women’s sports issues
The campaign titled The Gold Medal Collection showcases various athletes from Team USA, including taekwondo competitor Jaycee Bassett, triathlete Shannon Grady, and swimmer Réka György. Bassett emphasized the importance of female role models, stating, “Women like Nancy and MyKayla are inspirations who have paved the way for us. It’s now our responsibility to protect the future of women’s sports. Competing against a male is something I would never accept, as the essence of competition relies on fairness for every female athlete who dedicates her life to excellence.”
This evolving narrative surrounding women’s rights in sports is crucial as it addresses significant issues of equity and fairness that impact the futures of countless athletes. The voices of athletes such as Skinner and Hogshead are fostering a broader conversation about what it means to compete in a fair environment.
