STARTING a conversation

THE TOPIC When transgender cyclist Rachel McKinnon won a gold medal at the 2018 UCI Masters Track Cycling World Championships for the 200-metre sprint in the women’s 35-44 age bracket, it sparked outrage and debate among both competitors and spectators about her ‘unfair advantage’ as a ‘biological male’ competitor.

The Canadian athlete fought back, stating that all her medical records indicate that she’s female and that the idea that all men are stronger than women is ‘nothing more than a stereotype’. ‘By preventing transwomen from competing or requiring them to take medication, you are denying them their human rights,’ she said.

Former British Masters Champion Victoria Hood holds a different view.