JK Rowling launches fierce Sharron Davies defence after Olympic swimmer's appearance targeted by trans activists

The post appeared to suggest that Ms Davies looked masculine in the image, prompting a swift response from Ms Rowling, who has become one of the most prominent voices in the gender-critical movement.

Responding to the post, the author wrote: "1. Women's spaces are for women. It's irrelevant how the women look.

"2. Men don't belong in women's spaces. It's irrelevant how the men look.

"3. Most trans-identified men would give at least one ball to look like Sharron Davies."

The comments quickly attracted strong reactions online.

One user wrote: "Er. Most WOMEN would give their right arm to look like Sharon."

Another joked: "I'm a woman and I'd give up my husband's right ball to look like Sharron Davies."

A third supporter argued: "The only reason they do this pathetic attempt at an insult is because they know she is a woman."

The exchange is the latest chapter in a long-running debate involving Ms Davies, who has spent years campaigning on issues relating to fairness in women's sport.

The former Olympic swimmer has consistently argued that transgender women who have experienced male puberty retain physical advantages that can affect competition in female categories.

Sharron ‘if you have masculine features you’re not welcome into women’s spaces’ Davies.

Well, this is awkward…. pic.twitter.com/kJSLDYxgHS

— LGBwiththeT (@LGBwiththeT) June 4, 2026

Speaking previously to the BBC, Ms Davies said transgender athletes should not compete in women's sport in order to protect fairness and maintain a level playing field.

She stressed that her concerns were not motivated by hostility towards transgender people but by what she views as biological differences between the sexes.

Ms Davies has become one of the UK's most recognisable advocates for sex-based sporting categories, frequently calling on governing bodies to introduce policies that preserve female-only competition.

She has also welcomed decisions by organisations, including World Aquatics and British Cycling, to restrict transgender participation in elite female categories, while advocating for the creation of open categories in some sports.

Ms Rowling, meanwhile, has become one of the most high-profile figures associated with the gender-critical movement.

The author argues that biological sex is immutable and that preserving sex-based rights and protections is essential for safeguarding women and girls.

While Ms Rowling has repeatedly stated that transgender people should be treated with dignity and respect, her views have attracted fierce criticism from LGBTQ+ organisations and activists, who accuse her of contributing to the marginalisation of trans people.