Veronica Garcia, a transgender high school athlete in Washington who won the state championship in the girls' 400-meter race last month, complained about the lack of “sportsmanship” shown after winning the race and receiving a medal for it.
Garcia, of East Valley High School, ran the race in 55.75 seconds, which was one second better than the second-place finisher's time of 56.75, according to the Pacific Northwest Track and Field Officials track marker.
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Veroncia García won the race by a full second. (iStock)
However, Garcia told The Spokesman-Review that the lack of congratulations from other runners in the competition “hurt a little bit.”
“I think maybe he was expecting sportsmanship because he was cheering on the rest of them when they were called. So I guess he was hoping to get that in return,” Garcia told the newspaper. “But I didn't understand that.
“I'm just a teenager. I wish people would remember that.”
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) allows transgender athletes to compete against the sex with which they identify.
“The WIAA encourages participation by all students regardless of gender identity or expression,” the WIAA handbook says. “In addition, most local, state, and federal rules and regulations require schools to provide transgender and other gender diverse student-athletes with equal opportunities to participate in sports. The purpose of this policy is to provide clarity regarding the participation of trans and gender diverse student-athletes. Additionally, this policy fosters a culture in which student-athletes can compete in a safe and supportive environment, free of discrimination.”
Veroncia García took home a state championship to Washington last month. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ICE HOCKEY'S TRANS INCLUSION POLICIES ARE UNDER STUDY IN ENGLAND
The state does not require high school athletes to receive hormone therapy or hormone blockages to compete. García did not reveal the use of hormonal blocks to the newspaper.
WIAA spokesman Sean Bessette told The Spokesman-Review that the organization has received multiple complaints since Garcia's victory.
“The WIAA considers numerous personal, political and religious beliefs of the communities that join the Association,” Bessette told the outlet. “Many of these beliefs do not coincide, resulting in conflict between the various groups the Association serves. For this reason, the WIAA Executive Board has been recommended to follow state and federal laws.
Garcia is not the only transgender girl who has competed against biological girls in winning races in the Pacific Northwest.
The WIAA allows transgender athletes to compete against the gender they identify with.
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Aayden Gallagher also recently received boos for winning a girls state championship in Oregon.
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