Former Olympic cyclist Inga Thompson has expressed her support for maintaining female-only categories in sports. In an interview on ‘Fox & Friends Weekend,’ she commended WNBA star Sophie Cunningham for advocating fairness in girls’ sports. Thompson emphasized the ongoing struggle to safeguard Title IX protections as controversies arise over allowing biological males to compete in women’s events.
The debate was further highlighted by Caitlin Clark’s recent statements regarding the WNBA’s stance on the ‘Save Women’s Sports’ movement. Clark, a player for the Indiana Fever, sparked discussions among fans and supporters, including public figures like Dave Portnoy and Megyn Kelly, who engaged in a debate on social media platform X.
Clark’s remarks came in response to questions about the WNBA’s measures amid protests outside Indiana Fever games. Although her teammate, Sophie Cunningham, publicly supported protecting women’s sports, Clark chose not to disclose her own position, deferring to governing bodies to address the issue. She stated that their focus remains on basketball and finding ways to win games.
Several advocacy groups, including the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) and Moms for Liberty, have responded to Clark’s comments. ICONS co-founder, Marshi Smith, argued that female athletes should not be pressured to choose sides in a debate that ought to be resolved by sports policies. Smith linked the situation to previous tensions within the Mountain West volleyball team, where policies led to divisions among female athletes.
“Female athletes should not need to ‘pick a side’ to ensure their rights”, said Marshi Smith.
Similarly, Carrie Lukas, President of Independent Women, criticized the WNBA’s leadership for inadequately addressing the issue. Lukas highlighted that women’s sports should remain exclusive to biological females and emphasized the responsibility of the league to uphold this standard.
The Independent Women’s Law Center and Concerned Women for America also stressed the importance for athletes like Caitlin Clark to actively support this stance. They argue that protecting women’s sports ensures fairness, safety, and equal opportunities.
Penny Nance, CEO of Concerned Women for America, urged the WNBA to formulate policies that restrict participation to biological women only. She questioned whether the league is committed to fairness in women’s sports.
Moms for Liberty also took a firm stand, advocating for women in prominent roles to set examples for young girls by upholding the principles of biology and fairness. The organization’s leadership asserted their commitment to supporting upcoming generations of female athletes.
Jackson Thompson, a sports reporter for Fox News Digital, has reported on these issues, with his work being referenced in federal actions and various major media outlets.
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