A Virginia Tech swimmer and 2016 Olympian took a swipe at the NCAA over its policy on transgender athletes.
Reka Gyorgy issued a statement after failing to qualify for the finals at the NCAA Division I Womenâs Swimming and Diving Championships. She placed 17th in the event and only the first 16 finishers are eligible to compete.
In her statement, Gyorgy said she wanted to address âsomething that is a problemâ in the sport that is hurting athletes, especially female swimmers.
Mentioning Lia Thomas, Gyorgy explained the transgender swimmer is âconvinced that she is no different than me or any D1 swimmer who has woken up at 5am her entire life for morning practice.â
Her statement continues, âShe has sacrificed family vacations and holidays for a competition. She has pushed herself to the limit to be the best athlete she could be. She is doing what she is passionate about and deserves that right.â
Still, Gyorgy said she would âlike to critique the NCAA rules that allow her to compete against us, who are biologically women.â
She added, âIâm writing this letter now in the hopes that the NCAA will open their eyes and change these rules in the future. It doesnât promote our sport in a good way and I think it is disrespectful against the biologically female swimmers who are competing in the NCAA.â
Read Gyorgyâs statement below:
Expressing her frustration with the policy, Gyorgy continued, âIt feels like that final spot was taken away from me because of the NCAAâs decision to let someone who is not a biological female compete.â
According to the organizationâs policy, a transgender female âtreated with testosterone suppression medication may continue to compete on a menâs team but may not compete on a womenâs team without changing it to a mixed team status until completing one year of testosterone suppression treatment.â
The Hill reported Thomas has been taking gender-affirming hormones for more than two and a half years. Last week, Thomas became the first known transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship.