The current US Rowing Policy openly discriminates against women, allowing male athletes to compete in the women’s category. The only place where sex is acknowledged and fairness is upheld is in mixed-boat competitions, where equal numbers of male and female athletes are required in each boat.
We petition US Rowing and all other governing bodies influencing rowing policy to protect female athletes from discrimination and exclusion on the basis of their sex by defining eligibility for the women’s/girl’s categories to participants born female. Women and girls of all ages deserve access to fair competition, training and victory equal to that of their male counterparts.*
* We support trans and non-conforming athletes, as we do all athletes, in their pursuit of excellence both in and out of sport. We support utilizing an open/men’s division to meet the needs of trans and non-conforming athletes seeking fair competition in sport. We support additional divisions only if they do not dilute opportunities, awards, recognition, prize money or funding for female athletes. For example, a third category (that would typically be won by males) allows for 2/3 of championships to be won with male athletes and would increase discrimination against female athletes.