Why are women athletes NOT objecting to the takeover of their sport?

[loveyouradvice]

This is something I don't understand... I am not sporty but passionately care that men are invading women's sport and taking places that should be theirs (women and girls)....

Apart from one brave Brazilian woman (basketball? some ball sport) I HAVE SEEN NO ONE - neither women athletes nor their managers - mount a serious petition/campaign to change things to ensure that women and girls sport stays FEMALE.

Why is this?

I seriously don't understand... I can understand a few not being brave enough but not all, especially since there is safety in numbers and working collaboratively would achieve so much more- especially since SO MANY are being affected and there are some feisty women in sport.

If a white intersex athlete emerged to make a mockery of competition in the same way we have seen in women’s middle-distance running, the athlete’s supporters would not be able to close down debate by playing the race card, as is the case at the moment.

It’s a total triple whammy.
1 - accusations of bigotry and transphobia
2 - societal expectations of women to be nice
3 - culture of good sportsmanship and fear of being labelled a poor loser

Fear.

Fear rules all aspects of women's lives in a hostile society.

That's true Bonnie but there's still be plenty left go work with. Also, as we have seen, plenty of white trans women and those supporting them have absolutely no problem with trying to steal a bit of non-white bed for them. See Paris Lees definition of white feminism, which she makes clear doesn't include her despite being white and thinking she's a feminist. The subtext is to try and absolve themselves of any white privilege of course, beyond a bit of lip service. Racist as shit.

I remember reading XXCharleyUchea, a young black lesbian, tweeting on this point. She was funny as fuck before they banned her. I wonder where she is now?

Sonia O'Sullivan is 48. She is a FORMER athlete.

Exactly she has retired and has nothing to lose. Lynsey Sharp probably lost a load of sponsorship and media opportunities by speaking out and it seemed to have no impact on what happened anyway

They’re afraid.

In terms of the Connecticut state races currently in the news the female athletes were banned from protesting, withdrawing or in any way exercising their right to not be forced to compete against males. Membership of their athletics federation which is a requirement to compete was contingent on them toeing the TRA line.

I am far from being an athlete, but I think I will write to Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, about this. I don't suppose it will do any good, but it might alert politicians that there could be votes at stake. We could also write to athletic and other sporting authorities and their sponsors if we are concerned that things here shouldn't progress to the situation that female athletes find themselves in in Connecticut.

There must still be people out there involved in the sports world - retired? Athletes retire young don't they - at 30 or so depending on sport.... Surely there are enough Good People to stand up and make this happen who are actually in the world of sport??????????

Or fathers of sporting girls with amazing connections?

Or...... WHO ? There must be someone, not just us....

The retired ones usually still work within sport, consultants, coaches, lecturers etc.

There will be a push back, but it will be slow in the coming and maybe not quite what we would like! There is so much gender research being pushed by the larger research funding organisations that many people who want to speak up may well be prevented from doing so because they or their employer would lose funding.

It will take a re-think and a "So what if they losing funding into that??!!?" style rebellion. But it should come....

Wimbledon is looming. Would love Judy Murray to say something. Andy has sometimes shown a feminist leaning. McEnroe gets it but this was coming from completely the wrong angle:
www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/26/serena-williams-would-be-700-in-the-world-on-mens-tour-says-mcenroe

I don't think Judi is the type. That would be so great if Andy Murray did.

remember reading XXCharleyUchea, a young black lesbian, tweeting on this point. She was funny as fuck before they banned her. I wonder where she is now?

Loved her. Fuckers.