Sports

Transgender Canadian woman sets off debate after winning cycling world championship

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Critics accuse Dr. Rachel McKinnon of cheating after taking gold in women's competition

Transgender woman Dr. Rachel McKinnon, centre, celebrates her first-place finish at UCI Masters Track Cycling World Championship in Los Angeles on Sunday. (Twitter/@RachelMcKinnon)

A Canadian transgender athlete has become the first to ever win gold at the UCI Masters Track Cycling World Championship.

Dr. Rachel McKinnon, from Victoria, B.C., finished first in the women's 35-44 age bracket in Los Angeles on Sunday. McKinnon was born biologically male.

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She tweeted: "First transgender woman world champion...ever*", with a photo of her on the podium flanked by second- and third-place finishers, Carolien Van Herrikhuyzen of the Netherlands and Jennifer Wagner of the U.S.

McKinnon's achievement was lauded by some on social media as even more spectacular because she is forced to suppress her testosterone levels to what she deems "unhealthily low" levels as a pre-requisite for competing.

Others on social media accused the athlete of cheating, claiming her competing is unfair to cisgender women.

Dr. Rachel McKinnon: "This is what happens before the breaking point"

Show more Dr. McKinnon gives advice and encouragement to people who feel like they don't fit into sport. 0:46

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McKinnon, an assistant professor at the College of Charleston Department of Philosophy who studies transgender issues, posted a lecture she presented entitled, "Including Trans Women Athletes in Sport", in rebuttal to those citing the ethics and fairness of her being allowed to compete.

In an article in USA Today in January, McKinnon argued her competing is not a question of athletic advantage, but one of human rights.

Dr. Rachel McKinnon: "We have to promote inclusive sport"

Show more Canadian responds to the critics of transgender athletes. 1:11

"We cannot have a woman legally recognized as a trans woman in society, and not be recognized that way in sports," McKinnon was quoted as saying. "Focusing on performance advantage is largely irrelevant because this is a rights issue. We shouldn't be worried about trans people taking over the Olympics. We should be worried about their fairness and human rights instead."

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She also runs a YouTube Channel where she posts videos and lectures relating to transgender studies.