Sharron Davies accused of 'hate speech' over comments about transgender athletes
Former Olympic silver medallist calls for level playing field in women's sport
Plymouth-born swimming star Sharron Davies has said that transgender athletes should not compete against women to keep a level playing field.
The Olympic medallist and presenter said she wanted to protect women's sport from competitors who have unfair physical advantages.
Ms Davies, aged 56, has sparked a debate about the vexed issue with her original tweet – and says that she has received many messages of support from other sportswomen.
She has stressed that she had nothing against transgender people but wanted the authorities to discuss the issue.
Sharron Davies went to Plymstock Comprehensive School and Kelly College
Ms Davies, denied an Olympic gold medal in 1980 by a drugs cheat, said: "I believe there is a fundamental difference between the binary sex you are born with and the gender you may identify as.
"To protect women's sport, those with a male sex advantage should not be able to compete in women's sport."
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She later said that it was important that no groups or individuals were abused as part of any debate.
Ms Davies later said she could have worded part of what she said differently but added she was not trying to be offensive.
"But I think you all know I'm not trying to be offensive just raise debate & find a fair pathway forward. I realise transgender is not a choice & probably a tough journey."
She later told the BBC, where she presents swimming coverage: "Every single woman athlete I've spoken to, and I have spoken to many, all of my friends in international sports, understand and feel the same way as me.
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"Unfortunately, a lot of people who are in the races [now] are in a very difficult predicament when they can't speak out. It maybe falls to the people who were competing [in the past] who would understand the predicament that is being faced at the moment to try to create a debate, and try to explain how we feel there needs to be a fair and level playing field."
Sharron Davies (Image: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
But transgender cyclist Rachel McKinnon has tweeted that Ms Davies was a "transphobe" and was "sharing hate speech".
She added: "There is no debate to be had over whether trans women athletes have an unfair advantage: it's clear that they don't."
But double Olympic gold-winning middle distance runner Dame Kelly Holmes was in support of the swimmer.
She tweeted: "This is not about how people live their lives, who they are or who people chose to be;that should never be questioned. But setting fair and safe markers in sport is a must."
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