Fencing row erupts as US athlete takes knee instead of competing against transgender athlete
3 April 2025, 14:21 | Updated: 3 April 2025, 14:23
The female athlete took a knee instead of competing against a transgender athlete in a fencing tournament.
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The female athlete refused to compete at the Cherry Blossom tournament at the University of Maryland.
Stephanie Turner was due to fence Redmond Sullivan, when Ms Turner refused to compete because her opponent was transgender.
The pair ready to compete, and then Ms Turner takes a knee.
Ms Sullivan walks over to speak to her opponent, before the referee moves in.
She was subsequently disqualified and handed a black card by the referee.
Black cards are uncommon in fencing and reserved for "unsportsmanlike behaviour".
USA Fencing's website reads: "We recognize not all individuals’ gender identities are binary, and a gender binary default for participation could potentially cause harm — leaving some individuals to feel excluded and unsafe. Within our divisions, USA Fencing will not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, regardless of sex assigned at birth, or any other form of gender expression for participation in any division.
"As such, athletes will be permitted to participate in USA Fencing sanctioned events in a manner consistent with their gender identity/ expression, regardless of the gender associated with the sex they were assigned at birth in accordance with the guidelines listed below."
