A transgender athlete sparked controversy after celebrating a decisive victory in a women’s track race.
The athlete, Sadie Schreiner, previously known as Camden, boasted about the win on social media despite facing equipment issues during the race. The incident has reignited debates about fairness in women’s sports.
Schreiner’s victory and social media response
Schreiner competed in a college track and field event over the weekend. She dominated the race, finishing far ahead of her closest competitor. Despite nearly losing her shoe spikes mid-race, she expressed confidence about her future performances.
Following the victory, Schreiner posted on Instagram:
“Not the race I was looking for at all this week, my spikes nearly fell off on the turn and with a poor start my time wasn’t nearly what I wanted. The good news is that the season just started, and I’m going to leave everything on the track at nationals.”
Her remarks drew immediate criticism from sports fans and fellow athletes. Many questioned the fairness of her competing in the women’s division.
Concerns over transgender athletes in women’s sports
Schreiner’s win adds to the ongoing debate about transgender participation in women’s athletics.
Many experts argue that male puberty provides physical advantages, even after hormone therapy. Critics claim these advantages make competition unfair.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova weighed in on the controversy. A long-time LGBTQ+ advocate, she has supported transgender rights but insists only biological women should compete in women’s sports.
Navratilova reacted to Schreiner’s victory with sarcasm, tweeting, “So stunning and brave…” along with clown and embarrassment emojis.
In 2023, she supported World Athletics’ policy banning transgender women from elite competitions. She proposed creating separate categories for biological females and an open category for all others.
Social media backlash against schreiner
Schreiner’s social media post drew sharp criticism from users online. Many expressed frustration over transgender athletes competing against biological women.
One user wrote: “Imagine being a man flexing about beating female athletes.”
Another added: “To some people, sports is their life, and these people are ruining it for them.”
Other commenters mocked her win, calling it an unfair advantage. One critic sarcastically congratulated Schreiner for beating women who are “a foot shorter and 60 pounds lighter.”
Schreiner’s background and advocacy
Schreiner, from Hillsborough, New Jersey, competes in the 200m and 400m races for the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in NCAA Division III. She is also pursuing a degree in photography.
Before transitioning, she competed in the men’s 100m category in 2022, finishing 19th. Since entering women’s competitions, she has placed significantly higher.
Schreiner has been a vocal advocate for transgender inclusion in sports. In a CNN interview last November, she addressed the challenges transgender athletes face, calling for more understanding and support.
Challenges in Transferring to Division I
Earlier this month, Schreiner revealed difficulties in transferring to a Division I program. She claimed that while some schools showed interest, concerns about public backlash prevented them from offering her a spot.
Her future in college athletics remains uncertain. With Donald Trump back in office, policies on transgender participation in sports may become stricter. Trump has repeatedly stated his intent to “keep men out of women’s sports.”
Some have blamed Democratic policies on transgender inclusion for Kamala Harris’ election loss to Trump. The debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports continues to divide opinions.