The audience at an Oregon track event vocalized their disapproval as the winner of a girls’ race turned out not to be a girl.
Aayden Gallagher, a high school sophomore and male athlete, narrowly won the 200-meter dash against a female competitor at the Oregon School Activities Association Track & Field State Championships.
The crowd initially cheered for the female runner leading the race, but those cheers quickly turned into boos as Gallagher overtook her for the win.
This scene was highlighted by Riley Gaines, a former Kentucky swimmer and advocate for Save Women’s Sports.
“Look at the girls on the podium applauding when the 2nd place finisher (the rightful winner) is announced. Then watch their reactions when the boy’s name is announced. Stop saying girls are okay with this because they aren’t. This is heartbreaking and deeply regressive.”
Look at the girls on the podium applauding when the 2nd place (the rightful winner) is announced.
Then watch them when the boy’s name is announced.
Stop saying girls are okay with this because they aren’t. This is heartbreaking and deeply regressive. https://t.co/VmjeTtwgIk pic.twitter.com/5o36MbMICD
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 19, 2024
According to the final results, Gallagher clinched first place in the 200-meter and finished second in the 400-meter.
Protests against the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s and girls’ sports have surged recently. In West Virginia, a group of female shot-putters protested competing against a trans athlete.
Five middle school female athletes in West Virginia on Thursday refused to throw shot put against male Becky Pepper-Jackson.
They “stepped in” then “stepped out” in protest.
This is how you finally stop men from ruining women’s sports.
These girls get it!pic.twitter.com/Kufjp3BmUX
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) April 19, 2024
The girls were subsequently informed by their school district that they couldn’t compete in the next tournament, leading West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) to file a lawsuit on their behalf.
