Swimmers Lead Independent Council on Women’s Sports Lawsuit over NCAA Transgender Policy

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Swimmers Lead Independent Council on Women’s Sports Lawsuit over NCAA Transgender Policy

The Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) is funding a lawsuit against the NCAA over its handling of transgender athletes.

Sixteen former and current athletes are filing suit, including former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and NC State’s Kylee Alons. They are suing on Title IX grounds seeking to change NCAA policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports as violating their rights.

“This lawsuit against the NCAA isn’t just about competition; it’s a fight for the very essence of women’s sports,” ICONS co-founder Marshi Smith said in a press releases. “We’re standing up for justice and the rights of female athletes to compete on a level playing field. It’s about preserving the legacy of Title IX and ensuring that the future of women’s sports is as bright as its past.”

The athletes contend that allowing transgender athletes to compete against women, “compromise the fairness and integrity of women’s competitive sports and discriminate against women, violating Title IX’s core principles.” They claim to represent a “broad coalition of female athletes,” and are represented by former US Anti-Doping Agency general counsel Bill Bock, who resigned from the NCAA Committee on Infractions in protest over the NCAA’s rules.

“By challenging the NCAA’s draconian and discriminatory policies, we’re sending a clear message: the integrity of women’s sports is non-negotiable,” ICONS co-founder Kim Jones said. “We are committed to defending the hard-won rights of women athletes everywhere. This isn’t just a legal battle; it’s a moral stand for equality and justice in sports.”

Among the plaintiffs in the case are swimmers Gaines, Alons, Reka Gyorgy, Kaitlyn Wheeler, Lily Mullens, Susanna Price, Carter Satterfield, Kate Pearson, Katie Blankinship and Julianna Morrow. Four of the 16 athletes chose not to be identified by ICONS.

Mullens led a charge at Roanoke College after a transgender swimmer tried to join their team. Gaines tied for fifth place in the 200 free at the 2022 NCAA Championships with Penn’s Lia Thomas and has since led the fight against transgender inclusion. Gyorgy has petitioned the NCAA on the matter before.

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Kanga1
Kanga1
4 months ago

In my opinion its ridiculously simple. If you have or had male genitalia then you’re not able to compete against biological females! The surgically and pharmaceutically created transitioners are inherently Bigger, Stronger and Faster than natural women, having benefited from male puberty.
Anything else is specious nonsense and merely self serving to gain advantage.

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