There is a lot of talk in several corners of social media and social media regarding the presence of transgender athletes at the 2020 Olympics being held in Tokyo.
But out of sight, the first transgender athlete has helped his country in its quest for a medal over the past week. Soccer star Quinn helped Canada advance to the quarterfinals of the women’s soccer tournament, where they face Brazil on Friday (7/30) tomorrow.
The 25-year-old is an important part of the Canadian women’s team, which excels at playing center or defensive midfield, and has won 65 caps for her country. It’s not comparable to the record 301 caps of team captain Christine Sinclair, but her role is important nonetheless.
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They were both part of the Canadian team that won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, as well as the team that competed in the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
US club OL Reign is now receiving special attention for its status as the first transgender athlete since a change in the Olympic rules in 2004 that allowed athletes to participate in current gender-based sport, despite strict procedures.
There were actually quite a few transgender athletes at the Olympics this time around, but it was thanks to the early football tournament that Quinn wrote history books first, ahead of transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard and the skater Alana Smith.
Writing on Instagram after a 1-1 draw against the Japanese hosts in Canada’s first game, Quinn said, “The first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics. I don’t know what that feels like.”
“I am proud to see [nama] ‘Quinn’ in my line-up and credentials. I’m sad to know that there are athletes [transgender] Olympics before me who couldn’t live in the truth because of the world. “
“I’m optimistic about the change. Legislative change. Changes in the rules, structure and mindset. For the most part, I feel aware of the reality. Transgender women are prohibited from playing sports. Trans women face discrimination and prejudice when trying to pursue their Olympic dreams. The fight is not over yet, and I will celebrate it while we are all here. “
Quinn, who has also played for the Washington Spirit as well as French and Swedish clubs, announced herself as transgender in September last year, removing her old name and begging to be called by her real name. family.
By publicly announcing the status change that his family and friends were already experiencing, Quinn was able to get rid of what they called “essentially two different lives.” [pria menjadi wanita]”.
He told the BBC in November: “It’s very difficult when you don’t see people like you in the media or even around you or in your profession. I’m in the space of being a professional footballer and I don’t see people like me. “
“I really don’t like feeling like I’m disconnected between different parts of my life, as a public figure, so I want to live authentically.”
As the most famous transgender player in world football – male, female or non-binary – Quinn didn’t shy away from attracting attention naturally, wearing a hoodie that read “Protect Trans Children” before a game. Reign and expressing his concerns. about the trans-exclusive politics of other sports governing bodies before making history at the Olympic Games.
“I think it’s really concerning,” he said of World Rugby’s ban on transgender athletes, as well as World Athletics’ strict rules on testosterone levels, which some athletes have seen women – including Caster Semenya – effectively excluded from the competition.
“I think we need to focus on why we’re in sport in the first place and on celebrating the excellence of our bodies. I’m just another person doing what I love and j I have the privilege of doing this every day in the field. “
With Quinn in the midfield, Canada made solid progress to advance to the knockout stages of the women’s soccer tournament, drawing Japan and Great Britain and beating Chile to place second in the group.
This is the impact of Quinn’s game, and her current existence may well open the door for many other athletes or especially transgender footballers in the future.
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