Latest news with #CaliforniaStateTrack&FieldChampionships
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First Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Trans athlete defies US President Trump's criticism to win two golds and silver at California state athletics meet
High-schooler AB Hernandez cleared 5 feet, 7 inches in high jump with no failed attempts and also won triple jump and finished second in long jump, sharing the first position with other athletes in the first two events. read more AB Hernandez, a transgender student at Jurupa Valley High School, won two gold and a silver medal at the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, California. AP A transgender high school athlete won two gold and a silver and shared the medals with rivals under new rules aimed at tamping down controversy over her participation in the California State Track & Field Championships on Saturday. AB Hernandez, 16, cleared 5 feet, 7 inches (1.70m) in the high jump with no failed attempts and shared first place with Jillene Wetteland and Lelani Laruelle – who each cleared the same height with one failed attempt. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They topped the podium together at the championships held in Clovis, outside of Fresno, under new rules announced this week by the California Interscholastic Federation in response to criticism of the policy that allows transgender athletes to compete in girls' events. CIF first modified their championship entry rules so that biological females were not excluded from competition due to the participation of trans athletes. They then issued a rule change targeting events in which Hernandez had qualified to compete – high jump, long jump and triple jump – saying any 'biological female student-athlete who would have earned a specific placement on the podium will also be awarded the medal for that place' in those events. AB Hernandez, center, flashes a sign as she shares the first-place spot on the podium with Jillene Wetteland, left, and Lelani Laruelle during a medal ceremony for the high jump at the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, California. AP The changes came after days of controversy that included a social media post from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to withhold future federal funding from California if Hernandez was allowed to compete. 'As a female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,' Trump wrote. 'Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to…This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US Department of Justice has also launched an investigation into whether California has violated Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. On Thursday, Clovis mayor Diane Pearce also called for CIF to block Hernandez's participation. During preliminary competition on Friday, a small plane circled the stadium pulling a banner that read: 'No boys in girls sports!' Plane flies 'No Boys in Girls' Sports' banner at California track and field state championship. AB Hernandez, a boy, will compete in the girls' high jump, triple jump, and long jump finals tomorrow. Great work by @WomenAreReals and @icons_women 🙌🏼 — Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 31, 2025 About a dozen protesters outside the venue sported T-shirts and signs reading 'Save girls sports.' Hernandez shrugged off the controversy, also winning the triple jump and finishing second in the long jump. In the triple jump, Hernandez leapt 42 feet 2.75 inches (12.87m) and shared gold with Kira Gant Hatcher, who jumped 40 feet five inches. Loren Webster won the long jump with a jump of 21 feet 0.25 inches (6.40m). Hernandez was second with 20 feet 8.75 inches and shared silver with Brooke White, who jumped 19 feet 4.25 inches.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Transgender teen wins gold, shares medals at California school athletics championships
The transgender teen shared first place with two other athletes. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY SAN FRANCISCO - A transgender high school athlete won two gold and a silver and shared the medals with rivals under new rules aimed at tamping down controversy over her participation in the California State Track & Field Championships on May 31. Ms AB Hernandez, 16, cleared 1.70m in the high jump with no failed attempts and shared first place with Ms Jillene Wetteland and Ms Lelani Laruelle – who each cleared the same height with one failed attempt. They topped the podium together at the championships held in Clovis, outside of Fresno, under new rules announced this week by the California Interscholastic Federation in response to criticism of the policy that allows transgender athletes to compete in girls' events. CIF first modified their championship entry rules so that biological females were not excluded from competition due to the participation of trans athletes. They then issued a rule change targeting events in which Ms Hernandez had qualified to compete – high jump, long jump and triple jump – saying any 'biological female student-athlete who would have earned a specific placement on the podium will also be awarded the medal for that place' in those events. The changes came after days of controversy that included a social media post from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to withhold future federal funding from California if Ms Hernandez was allowed to compete. 'As a female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,' Mr Trump wrote. 'Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered is a totally ridiculous situation!!!' The US Department of Justice has also launched an investigation into whether California has violated Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. On May 29, Clovis mayor Diane Pearce also called for CIF to block Ms Hernandez's participation. During preliminary competition on May 31, a small plane circled the stadium pulling a banner that read: 'No boys in girls sports!' About a dozen protesters outside the venue sported T-shirts and signs reading 'Save girls sports'. Ms Hernandez shrugged off the controversy, also winning the triple jump and finishing second in the long jump. In the triple jump, Ms Hernandez leapt 12.87m and shared gold with Ms Kira Gant Hatcher, who jumped 40 feet five inches. Ms Loren Webster won the long jump with a jump of 6.40m. Ms Hernandez was second with 20 feet 8.75 inches and shared silver with Ms Brooke White, who jumped 19 feet 4.25 inches. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Transgender teen competes in California high school athletics championships despite protests and Donald Trump criticism
CONTROVERSY Transgender teen AB Hernandez sparked controversy and rule changes while competing in California State Track & Field Championships amid protests and political backlash most notably US President Donald Trump. Picture:/AFP On Friday, a small plane circled the stadium pulling a banner that read: "No boys in girls sports!" Hernandez's participation at the meeting has been the subject of intense controversy, with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) scrambling to adjust competition rules this week as anger grew on all sides. AB Hernandez, 16, was the top qualifier for Saturday's finals in the girls' long jump and girls' high jump at the California State Track & Field Championships in Clovis, outside of Fresno. A transgender high school athlete shrugged off scattered protests and heated criticism from President Donald Trump to reach the finals of multiple events at California's state championships on Friday. CIF Updates Rules on Trans Athlete Participation and Medal Allocation On Tuesday, CIF officials announced that entry rules had been modified so that biological females were not excluded from competition due to the participation of trans athletes. A day later, CIF issued another rule change -- specifically targeting events in which Hernandez was qualified to compete -- which mandates that any athlete who misses out on a podium finish behind a trans athlete would still receive a medal. "If necessary, in the high jump, triple jump and long jump events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned a specific placement on the podium will also be awarded the medal for that place and the results will be reflected in the recording of the event," the federation announced in a statement. The last-minute rules changes came after days of controversy which have included Hernandez being targeted by Trump on social media. The US President, who did not mention Hernandez by name, threatened to withhold federal funding from California in future if she was allowed to compete in this week's championships, which got under way on Friday with finals due on Saturday. "As a female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS," Trump wrote. "Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered is a totally ridiculous situation!!!" Trump's comment was followed by an announcement from the US Department of Justice that it had launched an investigation into whether California had violated Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. Local and state officials have also criticised Hernandez's participation, calling for the teenager to be prevented from competing. At a press conference on Thursday, Clovis mayor Diane Pearce called for CIF to block Hernandez's participation following their rule amendments earlier in the week. "Today, I call on CIF to do the right thing. Updates one and two were not enough, but the third time can be the charm," Pearce said. "CIF still has a chance to make it right by removing biological males from girls' sports." AFP
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Trans Athlete Sparks Debate Ahead of California Finals
A TRANSGENDER high school athlete was preparing to compete at California's state championships on Friday after drawing criticism from President Donald Trump and reigniting debate about trans athletes in sport. AB Hernandez, 16, is due to compete in the long jump, triple jump and high jump during preliminary rounds of the California State Track & Field Championships in Clovis, outside of Fresno. Hernandez's participation at the meeting has been the subject of intense controversy, with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) scrambling to adjust competition rules this week as anger grew on all sides. On Tuesday, CIF officials announced that entry rules had been modified so that biological females were not excluded from competition due to the participation of trans athletes. A day later, the CIF issued another rule change -- specifically targeting events in which Hernandez is competing -- which mandates that any athlete who misses out on a podium finish behind a trans athlete would still receive a medal. 'If necessary, in the high jump, triple jump and long jump events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned a specific placement on the podium will also be awarded the medal for that place and the results will be reflected in the recording of the event,' the federation announced in a statement. The last-minute rules changes came after days of controversy which have included Hernandez being targeted by Trump on social media. The US President, who did not mention Hernandez by name, threatened to withhold federal funding from California in future if she was allowed to compete in this week's championships, which got under way on Friday with finals due on Saturday. 'As a female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,' Trump wrote. 'Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered is a totally ridiculous situation!!!' Trump's comment was followed by an announcement from the US Department of Justice that it had launched an investigation into whether California had violated Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. 'The investigation is to determine whether California, its senior legal, educational, and athletic organizations, and the school district are engaging in a pattern or practice of discrimination on the basis of sex,' the DOJ said in a statement. Local and state officials have also criticised Hernandez's participation, calling for the teenager to be prevented from competing. At a press conference on Thursday, Clovis mayor Diane Pearce called for CIF to block Hernandez's participation following their rule amendments earlier in the week. 'Today, I call on CIF to do the right thing. Updates one and two were not enough, but the third time can be the charm,' Pearce said. 'CIF still has a chance to make it right by removing biological males from girls' sports.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Transgender athlete due to compete in California athletics championships
A TRANSGENDER high school athlete was preparing to compete at California's state championships on Friday after drawing criticism from President Donald Trump and reigniting debate about trans athletes in sport. AB Hernandez, 16, is due to compete in the long jump, triple jump and high jump during preliminary rounds of the California State Track & Field Championships in Clovis, outside of Fresno. Hernandez's participation at the meeting has been the subject of intense controversy, with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) scrambling to adjust competition rules this week as anger grew on all sides. On Tuesday, CIF officials announced that entry rules had been modified so that biological females were not excluded from competition due to the participation of trans athletes. A day later, the CIF issued another rule change -- specifically targeting events in which Hernandez is competing -- which mandates that any athlete who misses out on a podium finish behind a trans athlete would still receive a medal. 'If necessary, in the high jump, triple jump and long jump events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned a specific placement on the podium will also be awarded the medal for that place and the results will be reflected in the recording of the event,' the federation announced in a statement. The last-minute rules changes came after days of controversy which have included Hernandez being targeted by Trump on social media. The US President, who did not mention Hernandez by name, threatened to withhold federal funding from California in future if she was allowed to compete in this week's championships, which got under way on Friday with finals due on Saturday. 'As a female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,' Trump wrote. 'Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered is a totally ridiculous situation!!!' Trump's comment was followed by an announcement from the US Department of Justice that it had launched an investigation into whether California had violated Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. 'The investigation is to determine whether California, its senior legal, educational, and athletic organizations, and the school district are engaging in a pattern or practice of discrimination on the basis of sex,' the DOJ said in a statement. Local and state officials have also criticised Hernandez's participation, calling for the teenager to be prevented from competing. At a press conference on Thursday, Clovis mayor Diane Pearce called for CIF to block Hernandez's participation following their rule amendments earlier in the week. 'Today, I call on CIF to do the right thing. Updates one and two were not enough, but the third time can be the charm,' Pearce said. 'CIF still has a chance to make it right by removing biological males from girls' sports.'
