Mara Yamauchi, a two-time Olympian marathoner, is up in arms after a transgender runner competed in the prestigious London Marathon.
Glenique Frank, 54, a veteran marathoner who has been competing in major events as Glen Frank, finished in 6,160th place out of 20,123 female runners.
Yamauchi, who finished sixth in the 2008 Beijing games, did not compete in the London event, but vented her frustration with organizers for allowing Frank to race against women.
“Males in the [female] category is UNFAIR for females,” Yamauchi tweeted. “Nearly 14,000 actual females suffered a worse finish position” because of Frank, she continued.
This male ran in yesterday’s #LondonMarathon as Glenique Frank in the female category (Mass race) finishing in 6160th place out of 20123. So nearly 14,000 actual females suffered a worse finish position bc of him.
Last month, he ran in the Tokyo Marathon, as Glen Frank, also… https://t.co/u2UmaFBSns
— Mara Yamauchi (@mara_yamauchi) April 24, 2023
Going forward, the issue is a moot point, as World Athletics recently changed the rules to prohibit transgender women who have gone through male puberty to compete in women’s events at international competitions. However, athletes who had already entered races are allowed to compete in those events.
“This male competed under UK Athletics’ transitional arrangements, but it is still wrong and unfair,” Yamauchi told the Telegraph.
Frank told The New York Post that she’s competed in the male category in other marathons because she was forced to enter under the gender listed on her passport. Since she is a British citizen, that was not an issue in the London Marathon.
Such debates about transgender athletes are happening around the world. In the United States, the Biden Administration has proposed a rule that would prohibit bans on transgender athletes. It would be listed as a provision of Title IX.
[New York Post; Photo credit: BBC]
