Transgender Athletes: Top 6 Scandals in Sports History

In the 21st century, the issue of gender identity has become increasingly visible — and sport is no exception. It has always been not only about results, but also about equality and fairness. That is why the participation of transgender athletes sparks controversy. On one hand, it is a human right to self-expression; on the other, it raises concerns about (un)fair competition.

After the first successful performances of transgender women, some federations — such as World Aquatics and World Athletics — tightened their rules. Supporters of these decisions speak about protecting women’s sports, while opponents emphasize the rights of transgender people who had complied with the existing requirements.

In this article, UA.News highlights the most high-profile cases of transgender athletes’ participation that have triggered heated debates in the world of sports.

Lia Thomas (USA, Swimming)

Lia Thomas is an American swimmer who, in 2022, won first place in the NCAA Women’s Division I Championship in the 500-yard freestyle. She had previously competed on the University of Pennsylvania’s men’s team. Thomas’s victory marked the first NCAA championship ever won by a transgender athlete.

The achievement immediately sparked widespread controversy. Critics — including coaches, athletes, and even politicians — argued that her earlier development under “male” physiology gave her a significant physical advantage. For example, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a proclamation asserting that the championship title “belonged” to other female athletes.

Supporters of Thomas, including transgender activists and some researchers, countered that after a year of hormone therapy, her performance was comparable to that of other women swimmers, and thus there was no clear evidence of a significant advantage.

The debate, however, led to stricter rules. World Aquatics ultimately banned transgender women who had gone through male puberty from competing. Thomas attempted to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but in 2024 her case was dismissed.

Emily Bridges (United Kingdom, Cycling)

Emily Bridges is a 21-year-old British cyclist. In March 2022, she planned to make her debut in the women’s omnium at the national championships. However, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) denied her eligibility, citing the fact that Bridges was still registered as male at the time of her transition. Under current rules, this meant she did not meet the criteria for competing in women’s events. Earlier, she had even set male junior records before beginning hormone therapy to reduce testosterone levels.

Her planned participation raised concerns among some female cyclists. Several active Olympic athletes even threatened to boycott, calling the situation unfair. British Cycling, in its statement, supported the UCI’s decision but at the same time expressed sympathy for Bridges. The federation emphasized that the issue of transgender inclusion goes beyond cycling, touching all of sport, and requires collective efforts to balance fairness and respect.

Meanwhile, scientific reviews — including those by the UK’s Sports Council Equality Group (SCEG) — have noted that individuals who have gone through male puberty may, on average, retain advantages in strength and endurance, with performance metrics differing from those of women on average.

Laurel Hubbard – New Zealand, Weightlifting

Laurel Hubbard is a New Zealand weightlifter who became one of the most widely discussed figures in international sports. In 2021, she competed in the women’s +87 kg category at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first openly transgender woman to participate in Olympic weightlifting. Prior to her transition, Hubbard had competed in men’s competitions.

Her qualification for the Games sparked intense debate worldwide. Supporters emphasized that Hubbard met all the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) requirements, including maintaining testosterone levels below the permitted threshold for more than a year. They argued that denying her participation would be discriminatory.

Critics, however, pointed out that years of male puberty provided her with physical advantages in strength and power, raising questions about fairness in women’s competition. The controversy highlighted the broader global debate about transgender athletes, fairness, and inclusion in elite sports.

Fallon Fox – USA, Mixed Martial Arts

Fallon Fox is an American athlete and one of the first openly transgender women fighters in MMA. In 2013, she competed in several professional bouts in the women’s division. After knocking out opponent Ericka Newsome, rumors spread online about a “broken skull.” Fox denied the claim, clarifying that she had landed a standard chin strike and that facial fractures are a common injury in the sport. She emphasized that her opponents had sustained similar injuries from other female fighters as well. That same year, Fox herself lost by technical knockout to athlete Ashlee Evans-Smith.

The reaction was swift. Critics in the MMA community highlighted physical differences and called for bans on transgender women to protect the safety of other competitors. Fox and her supporters responded that she fully complied with all regulations, including testosterone testing, and that such injuries were not unusual in women’s fights.

In 2014, Fox retired from competition due to a serious knee injury. Her case became one of the most high-profile examples of controversy in combat sports, underscoring the difficulty of balancing safety and inclusivity.

CeCe Telfer – USA, Track and Field

CeCe Telfer is an American runner who previously competed under a male name. In 2019, she made history as the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA women’s title. She claimed victory in the 400-meter hurdles at the Division II championships. The result immediately drew attention and sparked debate, with some commentators insisting that her prior male development could have given her an advantage in women’s competition.

Telfer later faced new challenges. USA Track & Field barred her from competing in the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, citing her non-compliance with new World Athletics rules for transgender athletes — specifically, she had not maintained sufficiently low testosterone levels for the required period. Although Telfer had met the Olympic qualifying standard by time, the regulations stated that this alone was not enough for transgender athletes.

In its official statement, USA Track & Field explained that the decision was made in accordance with World Athletics regulations. At the same time, the organization stressed that all athletes should have “a pathway to participation,” and that if Telfer were to meet the established criteria in the future, she could compete at the international level.

The situation triggered mixed reactions. Some argued that strict requirements are necessary to ensure fairness in competition, while others viewed such restrictions as discriminatory against athletes who had undergone transition and complied with earlier rules.

Patricio Manuel – USA, Boxing

Patricio Manuel is an American boxer and the first openly transgender man (assigned female at birth) to step into the professional ring. On December 8, 2018, he made his debut at a Golden Boy Boxing event and won by unanimous decision against Hugo Aguilar. The moment was immediately called historic: Manuel became the first transgender male boxer to win a professional bout in the United States.

The reaction to his performance, however, was mixed. After the result was announced, shouts like “You’re lying!” could be heard in the arena. Manuel admitted he had faced intense emotional pressure but also promised to continue his career and eventually “make everyone happy.”

His story illustrates a different dynamic compared to cases involving transgender women. Manuel did not face regulatory bans and was allowed to compete among men, but he encountered challenges with public perception. Some fans and athletes viewed his presence as controversial, while others emphasized that discrimination against transgender men in men’s sports would be unjust.

Balancing Fairness and Inclusion

The examples above highlight a wide range of perspectives. Supporters of restrictions on transgender athletes argue that physiological differences — especially after completing male puberty — can provide significant advantages. For this reason, they believe strict eligibility criteria must be enforced, or even separate competition categories created. They stress that protecting fairness for women athletes should remain the top priority.

Advocates of inclusion, on the other hand, emphasize individual rights and freedom of choice. They point out that many transgender athletes comply with existing rules, including hormone level testing, and are simply exercising their right to compete in the category that aligns with their gender identity. As New Zealand’s Prime Minister noted, excluding an athlete who has passed all checks and met the rules contradicts the principle of applying those rules equally.

In response to high-profile cases — such as those of Lia Thomas, Laurel Hubbard, CeCe Telfer, and others — many international federations have revised their regulations. World Aquatics and World Athletics, for example, banned transgender women who have undergone male puberty from competing.

Thus, the debates continue, and there is still no unified solution at the global level.