CeCé Telfer, a Jamaican American track and field star, made history in 2019 when she became the first transgender woman to win an NCAA title in the 400-meter hurdles event. However, her dream of competing in the Olympics was shattered when USA Track & Field deemed her ineligible to compete after not meeting testosterone level requirements. And with the recent ban by World Athletics on athletes who have gone through “male puberty,” Telfer’s chances of competing in the next Olympics have been further diminished.
Despite this setback, Telfer has not given up and continues to speak out about the rights of trans people to compete in sports. In a recent interview with model and former college athlete Bejia Velez on Fuse’s sports series Like a Girl, Telfer opened up about her desire to compete and represent the U.S. as well as the discrimination that trans women face in sports.
Telfer asserts that she followed the rules and won a national championship, and therefore deserves a chance to represent the United States. She also criticized the world of sports for doing a huge injustice to transgender women by painting them as villains to women’s sports.
Like a Girl, the sports series on Fuse, tackles conversations with pro-athletes, Olympians, and champions on topics such as mental health, social stigmas, body image, reproductive issues, gender, race inequality, and more. Through her interview on the show, Telfer brings attention to the ongoing struggle for equal opportunities for transgender athletes.
The issue of trans athletes in sports has been a controversial and divisive topic, with many arguing that they have an unfair advantage over cisgender athletes. However, proponents of trans rights argue that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in sports regardless of their gender identity.
While Telfer’s dream of competing in the Olympics may be on hold, her unwavering commitment to fighting for the rights of trans athletes sends a powerful message of resilience and perseverance in the face of discrimination.