Breaking News

Today's news comes to us courtesy of the world of amateur sports.  

On Wednesday (according to reports), officials at USA Track and Field ruled that "transgender" hurdler Cece Telfer is ineligible for the US Olympic Trials in that sport (1).  This story has piqued my curiosity; as such, I hereby address the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC).  

The national team ineligibility of this athlete notwithstanding, it seems that if Telfer was enrolled at a Connecticut high school, (she?) would be allowed to participate in associated competitions (2).  I must question why this is so.  Being that Telfer is ineligible for the national Olympic team, what makes the athlete eligible regarding sports in Connecticut?

All concerns about "equal opportunit(ies)" aside, it appears that CAS/CIAC is endorsing a double standard (see Note 1).  They defend themselves by saying that it is "unjust" to prohibit athletes such as Telfer from competition.  However, as has been shown in the organization's behavior in the case of Soule v. Connecticut Association of Schools, CIAC cares not for "fairness"; they only care about their own agenda (2, 3).    

Sadly, female high school athletes in Connecticut have not had any viable chance at success for over a year.  It appears that it will be a while before justice is (possibly) done in this case (see Note 2).  

Now, a final personal note to CIAC and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  As the saying goes, "justice delayed is justice denied".  It behooves both parties to keep this in mind (see Note 4).  

Note 1: The Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) is the "umbrella organization" for CIAC (see also Note 3).  

Note 2: A federal court recently ruled on this case, in favor of CIAC.  The plaintiffs are appealing this matter to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals (4).

Note 3: "Umbrella organization", noun.  "An organization that controls or organizes the activities of several other organizations, all of which have a similar purpose" (5)

Note 4: "Behooves", verb, plural.  "To be necessary, proper, or advantageous for" (6)

Sources:

    1. Gaydos, Ryan. "Cece Telfer, Champion Transgender Hurdler, Ruled Ineligible For US Olympic Trials". Fox News, 2021, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/cece-telfer-transgender-hurdler-ineligible-us-olympic-trials. Accessed 25 June 2021.

    2. Reference Guide For Transgender Policy. Connecticut Association Of Schools, 2021, https://www.casciac.org/pdfs/Principal_Transgender_Discussion_Quick_Reference_Guide.pdf. Accessed 25 June 2021.

    3. Fairness In Women's Sports: Connecticut. Alliance Defending Freedom, 2021, https://adflegal.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/Soule%20v.%20Connecticut%20Association%20of%20Schools%20-%20One%20Page%20Summary.pdf. Accessed 25 June 2021.

    4. Notice of Appeal. United States District Court, District Of Connecticut, 2021, https://adflegal.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Soule-v-Connecticut-Association-Schools-Notice-Appeal.pdf. Accessed 25 June 2021.

    5. "Umbrella Organization". Dictionary.Cambridge.Org, 2021, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/umbrella-organization. Accessed 25 June 2021.

    6. "Definition Of BEHOOVE". Merriam-Webster.Com, 2021, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behoove. Accessed 25 June 2021.