Following Stephanie Turner's disqualification from a women's foil tournament for refusing to compete against a trans athlete, USA Fencing issued a statement affirming its commitment to inclusion. Turner took a knee and stated to officials that she wouldn't compete against Redmond Sullivan, misgendering her in the process. USA Fencing reiterated that their policies allow trans women to compete and condemned hate speech, emphasizing the importance of creating a respectful sporting environment. The incident has reignited discussions about trans participation in Olympics and Paralympics, especially with new IOC leadership pushing to protect women's divisions.
Speaking to Fox News on her disqualification, Turner allegedly turned to the referee after taking a knee and said: "I'm sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women's tournament. And I will not fence this individual."
USA Fencing remains committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful community for everyone in our sport. We believe in the principle of creating safe communities where all athletes, and community members, have a place.
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