Re: Transgender Athletes

Dear Editor,

First let me state I oppose transgender athletes competing in non assigned gender sporting events. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stated that there is to be no discrimination against Trans Athletes. They also stated each sports organizations has the right to create their own rules about who is and who is not eligible to compete. The ruling body for swimming is the international Swimming Federation (FINA) and they are not allowing transgender athletes to compete in international and Olympic events. Nor will they allow world records to be broken by a transgender swimmers. Most international sports will not allow transgender athletes to compete based on an unfair advantage. I’m not making this up, it’s a fact.

The point of my message is unless you can convince all major international sports federations to allow transgender athletes to compete on a world stage and break world records it a mood point. My message to all young athletes is to fight the good fight and aspire to be to one of the rare few that competes at the highest levels. Remember only about 3% of all American athletes will make it to the elite level and fewer will make a good living from their athletic talents. Way too much pressure is put on young people to be the next Michael Phelps or Serena Williams. Sports for me was the best life lesson I ever received. Keep the politics out of sports, it’s the most precious and cherished experiences of our lives. Maybe you will get a scholarship and make it to the elite level, hopefully you will have a great experience that will carry though to the next stage of your life.  Who cares if you get beat by a faster runner, swimmer or horse for that matter. Sports were created as a past time to escape politics and the day to day B.S. Todays Billionaire have created this illusion of fame and fortune that has gotten way out of control. For all of you that think you’re right about the transgender issue you need to wake up because the world is changing and there is no going back.

–Michael Croghan, Castro Valley