Two female athletes who took a stand against men in women’s sports received a scolding at a recent meet but were praised on social media.
The incident took place at the Oregon high school track and field championships on Saturday.
Reese Eckard of Sherwood High School and Alexa Anderson of Tigard High School, refused to stand on the podium next to a “transgender” competitor who was tied for fifth place, according to Fox News.
Anderson finished in third and Eckard in fourth.
Oregon girls high jump state championships just finished. 2 of the females refused to step on the podium with the male competitor and an adult official relegated them to the sideline for refusing. THIS MUST END. https://t.co/dxIzL8Qf95 pic.twitter.com/mAVVNBIPhW
— Leigh Ann O’Neill (@LaLONeill) May 31, 2025
Video of the incident showed the two athletes being hustled away from the podium after making their stand
“Oregon girls high jump state championships just finished. 2 of the females refused to step on the podium with the male competitor and an adult official relegated them to the sideline for refusing. THIS MUST END,” Leigh Ann O’Neill posted on X.
“We didn’t refuse to stand on the podium out of hate,” Anderson said in a statement, according to Fox News.
Should transgender competitors be banned from all levels of female sports?
“We did it because someone has to say this isn’t right. In order to protect the integrity and fairness of girls sports, we must stand up for what is right.”
The incident drew the attention of former tennis star Martina Navratilova.
“Women and girls are punished no matter what they do in this misogynistic world,” she posted on X.
Women and girls are punished no matter what they do in this misogynistic world… https://t.co/3QtvASgvPG
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) June 1, 2025
Fox News reported that the athlete in question, Lia Rose, had been able to become a winner in female sports after languishing against fellow boys.
Zachary Rose won the high jump at the Portland Interscholastic League Varsity Relays, with a winning height of 4 feet, 8 inches.
According to athletic.net, while competing on May 3, 2023 against junior varsity boys, Rose finished last among 11 competitors at 4 feet, 6 inches.
Fox News said in 2024, Rose competed against boys, but this year is competing against girls.
The America First Policy Institute has filed a Title IX discrimination complaint against Oregon for allowing males to compete in women’s sports.
“Every girl deserves a fair shot — on the field, on the podium, and in life,” said Jessica Hart Steinmann, AFPI’s executive general counsel and vice chair of the Center for Litigation.
“When state institutions knowingly force young women to compete against biological males, they’re violating federal law and sending a devastating message to female athletes across the country.”
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