Rhianna Benson
Martina Navratilova has spoken out after a fellow athlete was removed from a fencing tournament over the weekend for refusing to take on a transgender competitor.
Stephanie Turner was handed a black card by the USA Fencing board during an appearance at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland for condemning trans fencer Redmond Sullivan's involvement.
In footage that has since gone viral online - racking up over four million views, Turner could be seen removing her fencing mask and throwing it to the ground before kneeling before Sullivan.
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She, in turn, appeared visibly shocked by the move, with Turner later revealing that Sullivan had immediately approached the kneeling sports star to check if she was injured.
Speaking to FOX News afterwards, Turner recalled: "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."
She continued: "Redmond says to me, 'Well you know, there is a member on the board of directors here who supports me, and there is a policy that acknowledges me as a woman, so I am allowed to fence, and you will get black carded', and I said, 'I know'."
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The controversy has since divided thousands of fans of the sport, some of whom have slammed organisers for the 'massive punishment' given to Turner. Among them is former tennis champ Martina Navratilova.
Taking to Twitter, the 68-year-old Czech–American retired player hit out: "This is what happens when female athletes protest!
"Anyone here still thinks this is fair???
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"I am fuming… and shame on @USAFencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw women under the gender bullsh*t bus!!!"
Despite rejecting accusations of transphobia, Navratilova has long been a vocal critic of allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports.
Reportedly, she has previously signed a letter to the National Collegiate Athletic Association to see trans women student athletes banned from competing in female sports and became a leader of the Women's Sports Policy Working Group, which was formed in response a mandate that offered blanket inclusion for all trans women athletes put into place by Joe Biden.
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The tennis player also boycotted Nike for partnering up with trans TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney, and last summer she condemned the IOC for allowing female boxer Imane Khelif to compete, believing she was a 'biological male' despite there being no evidence of this.
Following Turner's protest this week, the fencing board later said in an official statement: "USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023.
"The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces. The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day."
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The message continued: "We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves.
"It's important for the fencing community to engage in this dialogue, but we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, whether at our tournaments or in online spaces.
"The way to progress is by respectful discussion based in evidence."
Sullivan's team Iconic Fencing Club also told the Daily Express US this week: "Red has followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE (the international fencing governing organisation) and USA Fencing (the national organisation).
"She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so.
"Fencing is rooted in a deep tradition of honour, sportsmanship, inclusion, and respect, and in a sport that prides itself on these values, the type of behaviour expressed by Red’s opponent has no place.
"Iconic Fencing Club supports Red in her fencing journey and will continue to do so in the future."