When Rachel McKinnon hopped on her bike to compete in the UCI Masters Track Cycling World Championship earlier this month in California, she knew she had followed the competition rules to a tee – ironic for a kid who grew up golfing in Greater Victoria and who is now at the centre of a firestorm of backlash for being a transgender athlete.

“I’m not naive, I work on this topic professionally,” says the College of Charleston professor, on the line from South Carolina. “I’m currently teaching a course on transgender people in sport and yet, I’m pretty shocked at how heavy the backlash is.”

First transgender woman world champion…ever.*

UCI Masters Track Cycling Women 35-44 Sprint@outsports @TheAdvocateMag @CofC @PinkNews @TheChrisMosier @BicyclingMag @velonews @gcntweet @glaad @TransMediaWatch @TransEquality @TransgenderNews @equalitynetwork pic.twitter.com/SD0HuS1Crv

— Dr. Rachel McKinnon (@rachelvmckinnon) October 14, 2018

On Oct. 13, the Stelly’s Secondary School alum and UVic graduate made history as the first transgender woman to win a world title. But, it’s the idea that McKinnon had an unfair advantage – due to being assigned male at birth – that caused an international uproar.

“All the work that went into that victory, people are attributing to me being trans,” she says. “I didn’t just get up off the couch and win. I worked my butt off.”

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Standing on the podium with the bronze medal was Jen Wagner Assali, a hand surgeon from Houston, who tweeted immediately following the race that the result was unfair.

She later apologized, saying she made the comments out of frustration and that they weren’t productive or positive, adding: “While I may not agree with the rules, when I pin on a number I agree to race by them.”

The rules, McKinnon says, are clear, and she has always competed in accordance with them, regularly testing her testosterone levels – which require staying below 10 nanomoles for every litre of blood.

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The idea that she could have had a physical advantage over her competitors solely based on gender frustrates McKinnon who says in the qualifying rounds, Wagner Assali “beat me 10 out of 12 times.”

And of her competitor’s response on social media, McKinnon says: “She made it clear that she stood by what she said, but just regretted doing it publicly.”

My results last year. …where's this advantage you speak of? Why was I nearly LAST PLACE in most of the pro races (and I only one the one pro race all season)? pic.twitter.com/x68XFvYndI

— Dr. Rachel McKinnon (@rachelvmckinnon) October 22, 2018

Transgender athletes first competed in Olympic level sport in 2004 – to date, none of them have reached the podium – and it is the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines for male-to-female trans athletes that most elite level sport organizations also use.

In 2017, a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine surveyed 2,127 cisgender track and field athletes (those whose gender identity aligns with the gender they were assigned at birth) testing their levels of testosterone in comparison with their performance.

While the data has yet to be released, the study found men with higher levels of testosterone didn’t necessarily fare any better in any particular event and women with high levels of testosterone sometimes had an advantage over those with lower levels.

Sochi Olympics offer platform for gay community The controversy is predictable, McKinnon says, because the rights of transgender people have made significant gains in recent years. “Every time this has happened in history with marginalized groups and the advancement of civil rights, there’s been a backlash,” she points out. “And, I think we’re in that moment.” Truth be told, McKinnon doesn’t think people really even care about women’s track cycling, a relatively new sport that first appeared at the 1988 Olympics, and that the criticisms are just a way of “exposing whatever transphobia they already had.” Participation in sport is a human right, she says, pointing to the fourth principle of the Olympic Charter. “I do look forward to the day, if it ever comes, that I or people like me can just focus on competing,” McKinnon says. “That’s hard enough.” @kristyn_anthony kristyn.anthony@blackpress.ca Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Get local stories you won't find anywhere else right to your inbox. Sign up here Previous story Coast Tsimshian Academy principal fired after financial irregularities discovered Next story Kelly Ellard, who killed B.C. teen Reena Virk, has day parole extended Just Posted Second of two giant turbines and multi-vehicle convoy hit the road to Site C Dam Massive turbine load from Prince Rupert needs one truck pulling it and two trucks to push it Prince Rupert City Council briefs: More than $1.5 million needed to restore Hays Creek in Prince Rupert COVID-19 numbers increase at Acropolis Manor – 32 infected Prince Rupert man concerned about temp. staff from out of region working at long-term care facility New recruitment campaign to be launched in Prince Rupert Web platform will use community collaboration to attract new employees to Prince Rupert The end of hugs: How COVID-19 has changed daily life a year after Canada’s 1st case Today marks the one year anniversary of COVID-19 landing in Canada B.C. announces 485 new COVID-19 cases, fewest deaths in months ‘The actions we take may seem small, but will have a big impact to stop the virus,” urges Dr. Henry Stone carving found on Victoria beach confirmed Indigenous ritual pillar Discussion underway with the Esquimalt and Songhees about suitable final home for the artifact Gambling debts revealed in details of bankruptcy filing by hockey star Evander Kane Sharks left winger and former Vancouver Giants player owes close to $30 million total Man acquitted on terrorism charges awaits deportation trial while living in Kootenays Othman Ayed Hamdan said he wants to lead a normal life while he works on his upcoming book Premier Horgan calls jumping COVID vaccine queue ‘un-Canadian’ Horgan says most people in B.C. are doing their best to follow current public health guidelines Vancouver mayor, Health Canada to formally discuss drug decriminalization Kennedy Stewart says he’s encouraged by the federal health minister’s commitment to work with the city Fernie area declared community COVID-19 cluster by Interior Health 81 cases have been identified since Jan. 1 VIDEO: Prince George RCMP looking for driver after ‘dangerous’ stunt at high school Viral video has been viewed more than 130,000 times COVID-19 quarantine not an option for B.C., John Horgan says Apres-ski parties increase risk, not interprovincial travel Most Read Prince Rupert City Council briefs: More than $1.5 million needed to restore Hays Creek in Prince Rupert Second of two giant turbines and multi-vehicle convoy hit the road to Site C Dam Massive turbine load from Prince Rupert needs one truck pulling it and two trucks to push it VIDEO: Prince George RCMP looking for driver after ‘dangerous’ stunt at high school Viral video has been viewed more than 130,000 times Cowichan Tribes confirms 1st death amid growing COVID-19 outbreak Shelter-in-place order has been extended to Feb. 5 This week in history: 9.0 magnitude quake struck off what is now called Vancouver Island According to First Nations elders, the 9.0-magnitude quake in 1700 CE kick-started a tsunami Former BC Ferries employee alleges he was fired because of his race Imraan Goondiwala has been granted a BC Human Rights Tribunal hearing B.C. announces 485 new COVID-19 cases, fewest deaths in months ‘The actions we take may seem small, but will have a big impact to stop the virus,” urges Dr. Henry Close ad