Trans athlete stripped of title after discovery of biological gender
A trans athlete crowned “World’s Strongest Woman” in Texas has been stripped of her title following the revelation that she was born a “biological male”, reports BritPanorama.
American competitor Jammie Booker secured first place ahead of Britain’s Andrea Thompson, triggering significant outrage within the strength sports community regarding fairness and eligibility in women’s competitions.
In the aftermath, event organisers disclosed they had “disqualified” Booker, admitting they were “unaware” of her gender status prior to the competition.
A statement from the Official Strongman Games confirmed: “It appears that an athlete who is biologically male and who now identifies as female competed in the Women’s Open category.” They noted they had initiated an urgent investigation once informed of the situation and had attempted to contact the competitor, but without success.
The organisation indicated that had they known of Booker’s identity, “this athlete would not have been permitted to compete in the Women’s Open category”. With Booker disqualified, Thompson has now been recognized as the winner.
Thompson’s coach, Laurence Shahlaei, publicly congratulated her, emphasizing her struggles and accomplishments throughout the events. “Sport is sport and the women’s classes exist for a reason,” he stated, acknowledging the ongoing controversy surrounding the incident.
Booker expressed her sentiments regarding the competition’s outcome on social media, stating: “I genuinely did not expect this outcome… I just want to say thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart.” Her remarks highlight the complex intersection of identity and competition in sports, raising ongoing questions about inclusivity and the integrity of women’s divisions in strength sports.
This incident serves as a potent reminder of the challenges faced within competitive arenas, where the lines between acceptance and fairness continue to be a contentious topic. The sport will undoubtedly reflect on this event long after the lifts have concluded, and the dialogue it has sparked will remain front and centre in discussions about the future of athletics.
