Two Oregon high school athletes, Alexa Anderson and Reese Eckard, made headlines at the state track and field championships in Eugene on May 31, 2025.
After finishing third and fourth in the girls’ high jump, they refused to stand on the medal podium alongside Liaa Rose, a transgender athlete assigned male at birth.
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Footage captured the athletes turning their backs and stepping off the platform as Rose was announced—a silent protest against the competitor’s inclusion.
Anderson later told Fox News that their protest was not driven by hatred: “We did it because someone has to say this isn’t right. In order to protect the integrity and fairness of girls sports we must stand up for what is right”.
An official escorted Anderson and Eckard off the stage, and it remains unclear whether their actions affected their official rankings.
The incident adds to a growing trend of female athletes voicing concerns over transgender participation in girls’ sports. Oregon follows recent state-level protests in Maryland and California.
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The protest has reignited national debate over Title IX protections and federal involvement. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing biological males from competing in women’s sports—a move supported by the America First Policy Institute, which also filed a Title IX complaint against Oregon on May 27.
This article originally appeared on American Faith, and is reposted with permission.
