Online Harassment Forces Transgender High School Athletes to Withdraw from Track Championships

Two transgender runners were subjected to discriminatory attacks online and withdrew from competing in the California state track and field preliminaries.
The athletes faced backlash and criticism from anti-transgender groups who claimed they took opportunities away from cisgender female runners.
The California Interscholastic Federation defended the athletes and their inclusion policy but expressed disappointment that the runners felt unable to compete due to the harassment.
The International Council on Women's Sports led much of the discrimination and attacks against the two runners.
College swimmer and vocal critic Riley Gaines condemned the athletes for withdrawing from the competition.