California parent whose daughter lost to biological man in girls’ track meet responds: ‘Narcissist’

EXCLUSIVE – A California parent of a runner, who lost to a biological man in Saturday’s California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) race, called it “unfair” in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Athena Ryan, who is a transgender woman, finished in second place in the varsity girls’ 1,600-meter race finals on Saturday in the Meet of Champions section.

Ryan of Sonoma Academy finished behind Hanne Thomsen of Montgomery High School and ahead of Ellie Buckley of Campolindo High School. Ryan will qualify for the CIF State Track and Field Championships next week.

THE California High School Sports governing body – the California Interscholastic Federation – has come under fire after a transgender athlete finished second in the CIF North Coast Section Champions Meet in the 1,600 race final meters from Saturday. Ryan, who was a junior, finished with a time of 4:55.91.

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“I didn’t expect that. I’ve lost about 17 seconds off my season best in the last two weeks,” Ryan said after the win. “After last weekend, I didn’t think I could run low 5s again. I was just coming here to try and break 5 – glad I finished it.”

One of the parents of the runners who lost to Ryan, whose name is withheld for fear of retaliation and intimidation, blasted the competition for allowing a biological man to compete against the girls.

“I’m absolutely opposed to this. There’s no way this is going to be allowed,” the parent said. “Ryan was about fifth with 100 to go, and all of a sudden he… passed the girls.”

“How do you not understand that this is unfair?” said the parent.

“I 100% understand the need to belong and the desire to compete. (However,) you have to understand how hard these girls work to achieve that.”

“You cheat (the sport), like the narcissism of it all,” the parent said of CIF’s policies.

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The parent also said the girls would not speak about their disappointment with Ryan’s inclusion in their sport as it could be seen as “bullying” and affect their ability to compete.

“Reactions from student-athletes are very subdued and controlled as much as they can because they are not allowed to show any reaction to potentially not assert what is happening,” the parent said. “We have been advised that anything that could potentially appear to be bullying is a violation of the code of conduct. And therefore, by CIF rules (girls are) unable to talk about it.”

The parent added that the bullying policy is extended to families, so if a parent speaks out it could be considered bullying.

A national debate was sparked when University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas competed in the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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When asked how the parent reacted to the game, the parent said the daughter was focused on sports.

“Oh, right now, because we’re in the thick of his league season…I don’t want anything to distract her from that. If you let any energy zap you, if you devote time or emotion to it will kill you,” the parent said.

Sonoma Academy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CIF said: “California law permits students to participate in gender-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and to use facilities consistent with their gender identity, regardless of gender. gender indicated on student records (Education Code section 212.5.(f). Additionally, pursuant to California law, CIF Bylaw 300.D. provides that students shall be given the opportunity to participate in CIF activities. in a manner consistent with their gender identity, regardless of the gender indicated on a student’s record.”

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.