A high school in Oregon has ignited controversy following its decision to permit a transgender athlete to participate—and excel—in a girls’ track event, where she emerged as the winner in both the 400-meter and 200-meter races.

A high school in Oregon has ignited controversy by permitting a transgender athlete to participate—and excel—in a girls’ track event.

At the Portland Interscholastic League Championship, Ada Gallagher, a 16-year-old junior from McDaniel High School in Portland, took home top honors in both the 400-meter and 200-meter events, according to The New York Post. During these races, she left her competitors far behind, particularly in the 400 meters, crossing the finish line over seven seconds before the second-place athlete.

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Previously, Gallagher participated in the same competition as an 10th-grader the previous year, securing first-place finishes in both the 200-meter and 400-meter events.

This is what we understand regarding her following these recent reports.

Ada Gallagher is a secondary school student.

Currently, Gallagher attends McDaniel High School in Portland, Oregon. On her profile at the NCSA College Recruiting site, she states, “Hi, I’m Ada Gallagher. Track is one of my passions; despite many doubting me and wanting me to quit due to various issues, I keep pushing forward. While victories bring joy, what truly matters to me is being part of this incredible sport.”

She is very athletic

Despite the controversies surrounding her, Gallagher clearly possesses a competitive edge. She recorded a swift time of 57.62 seconds in the 400-meter event and clocked 25.76 seconds in the 200-meter dash – times that stood as seasonal bests for her, according to the New York Post.

She received boos following her victory last year.

In May 2024, Gallagher faced jeering from spectators when she crossed the finish line in first place during a 200-meter race at the OSAA track and field state championships, according to NBC News. The disapproval persisted as she was awarded her gold medal at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, which can be observed in videos captured at the scene.

A considerable amount of intense discussion has surrounded this issue.

The discussion around allowing transgender athletes to participate in gender-specific sports teams has gained attention recently. Following the prominence of Gallagher’s case, people turned to social media platforms to share their views on this issue.

A new day brings yet another male excelling in girls’ athletics,
Riley Gaines
, an American conservative political activist and ex-swimmer, posted on X and referred to Gallagher using incorrect gender pronouns. “Ada Gallagher set a seasonal record and outperformed the quickest female competitor by more than seven seconds. This occurred in Oregon.”

This isn’t the first instance where Gaines has publicly commented on Gallagher and her athletic accomplishments. In a sarcastic tweet posted on X back in May, she remarked, “Another proud moment for women’s sports!” “[…] Gallagher (assigned male at birth),” she continued, “just secured the top spot in the Oregon state championship for the women’s 200m race following his second-place finish in the 400m.” She referred to Gallagher with what was once considered their correct name but now acknowledges as outdated. “Listen to those collective groans,” she added. “People have had enough of this…and it’s high time too.”

Various internet users have been quick to emphasize that regardless of your stance on the issue, publicly sharing comments or criticizing a high school student is inappropriate. “Perhaps you ought to refrain from publishing full names and videos of minors,” commented someone regarding Gaines’ post on X. “This kind of behavior might be somewhat acceptable for collegiate athletics, but involving a high school track event crosses the line; these individuals are still just children. Give them some space,” they further noted.

What does the Oregon School Activities Association’s policy entail?

The OSAA aims to “enable students to take part in the athletic or activities program consistent with their persistently claimed gender identity, while ensuring a fair and secure setting for every student,” as per its officially declared policy.

Last month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Ensuring Female Athletes’ Fairness in Sports,” aimed at safeguarding female students competing in the women’s category from facing unfair competition or exposure to male participants. This directive effectively rejects the gender identities of transgender women. It stands alongside numerous other measures targeting transgender individuals implemented by the Trump administration recently.

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