Fencer who refused to face transgender athlete criticised for taking a knee in protest | MSN

Just as the match was about to start, Stephanie Turner, 31, refused to compete, dropping down to one knee, and was shown a black card for bad behaviour or unsporting conduct.’

Speaking after her disqualification, Turner refused to acknowledge Sullivan as a transgender person, claiming ‘this is a man’ and using male pronouns.

I saw that I was going to be in a pool with [Sullivan], and from there I said, ‘OK, let’s do it. I’m going to take the knee’,’ Turner said. ‘I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections.

‘I took a knee immediately at that point. [Sullivan] was under the impression I was going to start fencing. So when I took the knee, I looked at the ref and I said, ‘I’m sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women’s tournament. And I will not fence this individual’.

Women’s tennis legend Martina Navratilova has slammed USA Fencing over their call to disqualify Turner from the Cherry Blossom tournament.

‘This is what happens when female athletes protest!’ the nine-time Wimbledon singles champion posted on X. ‘Anyone here still thinks this is fair??? I am fuming… and shame on @USAFencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw women under the gender bulls— bus!!!’

Source: Fencer who refused to face transgender athlete criticised for taking a knee in protest