This week, Independent Women’s Forum, Team USA World Masters track athlete Cynthia Monteleone, high school track athlete Margaret Oneal, and three-time Olympic cyclist Inga Thompson will meet with various lawmakers on the Hill for a multi-day fly-in to discuss fairness in women’s sports, specifically, not allowing biological males to compete in women’s athletic divisions—against female athletes or on women’s teams.  

The group is scheduled to meet with the following offices:

  • Sen. Ted Cruz
  • Sen. Marsha Blackburn
  • Sen. Joni Ernst
  • Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith
  • Sen. Tommy Tuberville
  • Sen. Rand Paul
  • Sen. Tom Cotton
  • Sen. Mike Lee
  • Rep. Vicky Hartzler
  • Rep. Gary Palmer 
  • Rep. Debbie Lesko
  • Rep. Greg Steube
  • Rep. Steve Scalise
  • Rep. Elise Stefanik
  • Rep. Doug LaMalfa

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics represent a series of firsts: the first time the modern Olympic Games have ever been postponed, and the first time openly transgender athletes will compete at the Games. According to a newly released Axios poll, 39% of Americans believe that transgender athletes should compete against others of their biological sex at the Olympics, and 20% say these athletes should compete against others of the gender with which they identify. 

Allowing male-bodied athletes like New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard to compete with biological female athletes puts women’s physical safety at risk and takes away valuable opportunities for biological women and girls.

Cynthia, Margaret, and Inga will be available to speak with members of the press while at the Capitol. To arrange an interview, please contact Meghan Agostinelli at [email protected].

Who:

Cynthia Monteleone

Cynthia Monteleone is a world champion track athlete who specializes in the 400 meter. At the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championships in Málaga, Spain, Monteleone competed against Yanelle Del Mar Zape, a transgender athlete from Colombia. When she tried to speak out, she was silenced by race officials. Now, this athlete and coach is using her voice to highlight the dangers of being forced to compete against men. 

Margaret Oneal

Margaret Oneal Monteleone, a sophomore at St. Anthony School in Maui, Hawaii, also found herself competing against a biological male in her high school track meet. Margaret placed second behind the transgender athlete in her first and only track meet of the season before COVID-19 hit after training and sacrificing for months.

Inga Thompson 

Inga Thompson is a retired road bicycle racer. She competed at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics with the best result of eighth place in 1988. She won silver medals at the world championships in 1987, 1990 and 1991, and placed third at the Tour de France in 1986 and 1989. She has raced with the men when there were no women’s events and knows first hand that men are stronger, faster than women. 

Location(s): U.S. Capitol and surrounding offices

When: Wednesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 29 

Time: 9:00am-4:00pm EST both days

Press Contact: Meghan Agostinelli, [email protected]

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Independent Women’s Forum is an educational 501(c)(3) dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance freedom, opportunities, and well-being. IWF is the sister organization of the Independent Women’s Voice.