Racing down the track, Sadie Schreiner, formerly known as Camden Schreiner, broke records at Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) Alumni Invitational last week. However, Schreiner’s impressive feat is causing some controversy due to the fact that Schreiner is a transgender athlete competing in women’s track and field.
Schreiner, who identifies as transgender, is now competing on the women’s track and field team at RIT after previously competing against males in high school. This decision has sparked debate over the fairness of allowing a male athlete to compete against females.
Despite the backlash, RIT celebrated Schreiner’s accomplishment on their track and field Instagram page, saying, “New school record‼️Sophomore Sadie Schreiner set a new record in the 300m dash last Friday at Nazareth, clocking in a time of 41.80s.” However, comments on the post have been turned off by the school.
Radio host Bob Lonsberry pointed out the significant difference in Schreiner’s performance compared to if he were still competing against males. “This biological male finished first in the women’s 300 meters at the Nazareth Alumni Invitational with a time of 41.80 which, if he’d run against other biological males, would have had him finishing 41st, second from last, 6.4 seconds behind the winner,” Lonsberry wrote on social media.
This biological male finished first in the women’s 300 meter at the Nazareth Alumni Invitational with a time of 41.80 which, if he’d run against other biological males, would have had him finishing 41st, second from last, 6.4 seconds behind the winner. pic.twitter.com/cznFUtIxqE
— Bob Lonsberry (@BobLonsberry) December 15, 2023
The news of Schreiner’s victory has sparked a conversation about the fairness of allowing transgender athletes to compete against their biological gender. Many have expressed concerns about the impact on female athletes and their chances of winning against stronger and faster biological males.
Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, who testified before Congress to advocate for female athletes, mocked the belief that transgender athletes rarely outperform their biological counterparts. “New collegiate school record in women’s 300m at [RIT]!!! Except it was set by a male. This happens a lot for something that never happens,” Gaines wrote on social media.
This debate comes at a time when the Biden administration is proposing changes to Title IX, the federal civil rights law that bans sex-based discrimination in education programs that receive federal funding. If passed, the rule would redefine “sex” to include “gender identity,” making it illegal to have policies that ban biological males from competing in women’s sports. Many fear that this change will harm female athletes and put them at a higher risk of injury.
Schreiner’s accomplishment at RIT has raised many questions about the fairness of allowing transgender athletes to compete against their biological counterparts. As this debate continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the issue of transgender athletes in sports will be addressed in the future.
