In a heated controversy surrounding a cycling race in Illinois, two transgender athletes, Tessa Johnson and Evelyn Williamson, emerged victorious, leaving Kristin Chalmers, a biological woman, in third place. While some criticized Johnson and Williamson for taking spots away from female competitors, Chalmers defended the transgender cyclists and joined other cyclists in signing a letter of support for them.

Riley Gaines, a contributor to OutKick and host of "Gaines for Girls" podcast, strongly condemned Chalmers for her stance, calling her a "traitor to women." Gaines questioned why women would support their own erasure and argued that female athletes like Chalmers had no right to willingly compromise the integrity of fair competition for everyone. Gaines emphasized that the majority of female athletes believe in respect and fair competition, implying that Chalmers had betrayed these principles.

In response, Chalmers and other cyclists deemed the controversy surrounding the race as "manufactured." They refused to be portrayed as victims and expressed their support for inclusion and transgender women in sports. The letter they signed emphasized that inclusion strengthens the sport and community, stating that "trans women are women."

The Chicago CrossCup, the organization behind the race, stated on its website that it adheres to USA Cycling's policies regarding transgender athlete participation. The organization emphasized a strict anti-discrimination and anti-harassment stance, opposing any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, or any other belittling idea. The website warned that engaging in such behavior could result in disqualification or being asked to leave the event.

It is worth noting that in July, the Union Cycliste Internationale, the governing body for sports cycling, updated its policy to ban transgender athletes from elite competition. However, this policy did not apply to the Illinois race in question.

The controversy surrounding the race has sparked intense debate about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports. While some argue that it creates an unfair advantage, others advocate for an inclusive approach that respects the rights and identities of transgender individuals.

As the discussion continues, it is clear that the issue of transgender athletes in sports will remain a contentious and complex topic, raising questions about the balance between fairness, inclusion, and the integrity of competition.