BUZZ
‘I’ve had to now worry every time I step on the track or the court that somebody might disagree with my participation’
The thing that women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe said isn’t a big deal has happened again: A biological male who identifies as a female defeated all opponents in the 400 meter track final at the California Prep League Championship last week.
According to Reduxx, high school freshman Paul “Lina” Haaga of the almost-$50,000-per-year Polytechnic School in Pasadena won the metric quarter mile in just under 60 seconds, a superb time for a girl … but merely average for a boy.
Haaga also was part of Polytechnic’s 4×400 meter relay team too, which took first place as well.
Haaga’s finishes kept his year-older sister, who goes to Flintridge Prep, from getting the gold medal in both events.
The report notes Haaga “transitioned at a very young age,” has “tried his hand at basketball, swimming, lacrosse, and water polo,” and is a “key” player on the girls’ tennis team.
In a January Guardian article, Haaga described sports as being his “release and an escape” and “always a place where [he] could find a reprieve.”
The attacks on trans girls in athletics have taken a toll, says Lina: “The political climate has put into question my relationship with sports. Instead of it being something innocent I can just enjoy without fear of being discriminated against, I’ve had to now worry every time I step on the track or the court that somebody might disagree with my participation. That’s been really scary, because it’s started to steal something that’s precious for me – that moment of bliss.”
There are times, she says, when she has avoided games out of fear someone might object. […]
“We’re still human. We’re just kids. We’re just trying to have fun … We’re not trying to be monsters or predators or anything malevolent. We’re just trying to find connection and community.”
Lina hopes other trans kids continue to pursue athletics: “Playing sports and loving being out there on the field is in its own beautiful way an act of resistance.”
The Guardian also highlights AB Hernández, another California trans-female high school athlete who’s racked up numerous track and field victories. Hernández has referred to his critics as “idiotic,” “children” and “bullies,” and claims the fact that he hasn’t always finished first negates complaints about trans (female) athletes.
According to a 2024 United Nations report, biological males have taken 890 medals from more than 600 female athletes “in over 400 competitions in 29 sports.”
MORE: Parents of transgender female track athlete: ‘cruel’ to make him run against boys
