British Olympic icon calls transgender row 'national controversy' with fears women's sport is 'finished'

British Olympic icon calls transgender row 'national controversy' with fears women's sport is 'finished'

Watch now: Trans women in sport discussion

Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 29/12/2023

- 12:52

Daley Thompson has called it unfair for biological males to compete in women's sports.

British Olympic legend Daley Thompson has called it a "national controversy" that transgender women who are born male are still able to compete within female categories of sport.

Swimmer Lia Thomas and cyclist Veronica Ivy have caused a stir in recent years for their involvement in women's sports events as biological males.


Riley Gaines gave a tell-all interview earlier this year where she spoke out against Thomas' involvement in the women's swimming programme, stating changing alongside her in the locker room was awkward.

More and more athletes are speaking out against transgender athletes competing against biological females.

Daley Thompson feels transgender women have an unfair advantage

Daley Thompson feels transgender women have an unfair advantage

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Thompson believes they hold a "physical advantage" over the rest of the field and he doesn't think anything can be done to change that.

He wrote for the Daily Mail: "Trans athletes say they do everything possible to compete fairly, for instance by taking testosterone blockers.

"Let us put aside the fact that I have strong reservations about the use of any hormone-altering drugs in sport.

"But it seems patently obvious that no pill can wipe out the benefits that come from growing up biologically male in terms of muscular and skeletal strength.

"These trans women have been through male puberty. They have longer limbs, broader shoulders, thicker bones, better power-to-weight ratios and larger heart and blood volumes.

"Nothing they can do will change that: they are always going to outperform biological women.

"This is a problem I have witnessed grow from a minor concern into a national controversy in sport – and beyond – although, in recent months, it does feel as though something is indeed changing.

"My belief is that sport should have a women's section and a new, open class where transgender women would be welcomed and could compete fairly.

"There should be space for trans women in sport – but not at the expense of all women.

Thompson has been joined by other sports legends such as tennis icon Martina Navratilova and swimming hero Sharron Davies in the bid to stop transgender athletes competing in women's sports.

He's seen them both receive abuse on social media, but continues to stand with their views and wants to see sports governing bodies make big changes soon.

Sharron Davies has also spoken out on the transgender row

Sharron Davies has also spoken out on the transgender row

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Thompson added: "Some of my good friends, including the Czech-American tennis star Martina Navratilova and the record-breaking British competitive swimmer Sharron Davies, have done so and been on the receiving end of shocking abuse from trans extremists as a result.

"I want the whole world to know I stand beside them.

"I have also been appalled at the violent threats aimed at novelist J.K. Rowling, who has spoken nothing but calm common sense.

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Swimmer Lia Thomas caused a stir after winning the NCAA Championship

Swimmer Lia Thomas caused a stir after winning the NCAA Championship

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"Does that make me a feminist? Well, no one has ever called me that before, but there's a first time for everything.

"What I do know is that I'm not transphobic or a misogynist – two slurs that have been chucked at me on Twitter.

"If we become afraid to tell the truth, we really are in trouble.

"And if trans women are allowed to compete in female categories, then women's sport isn't just in trouble – it's finished."

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