“I won because I trained relentlessly – not because I was transgender.”
– Transgender athlete’s fierce response to JK Rowling’s criticism

Transgender athlete hits back at JK Rowling after being called a cheat for winning 400m race

💥 The new storm of world sports: When JK Rowling makes waves on social networks again

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has caused a stir again by publicly criticising a transgender athlete who won gold in the women’s 400m at the 2025 Paralympics , calling the victory “legal cheating disguised as progress” .

“When a man with muscles, bones, and testosterone competes with a disabled woman – and calls it fair? No, it’s cheating,” Rowling wrote on social network X (formerly Twitter), which has been shared millions of times.

🏅 Who is the main character?

Avery Marshall , 29, an American, is a transgender female athlete who lost her left leg below the knee at the age of 12. After a six-year transition and qualifying to compete, she won the gold medal in the women’s 400m T44 class , breaking the Paralympic record this year.

“I am not a political product. I am a disabled person, a woman, an athlete. I fought every day to be who I am today.”

📣 Backlash from both sides

💢 Rowling’s supporters:

“She was just speaking the truth – this is rampant injustice.”

“Real women are being robbed of opportunities by men who used to be men.”

“If this is not cheating, then what is justice?”

🛡️ Avery Marshall supporters:

“JK Rowling is trying to portray transgender people as monsters.”

“A transgender person is human too. She trains, she suffers, and she deserves it.”

“She writes good fantasy, but real life isn’t Hogwarts.”

📺 Media Explosion:

BBC : “Controversy erupts as millionaire writer accuses disabled athlete of cheating.”

Sky News : “A tale of self-discovery or modern sporting scandal?”

CNN : “The Paralympics aren’t without their gender clashes — this time, all eyes are on Avery Marshall.”

📊 Paralympic Committee speaks out

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirms:

“Avery Marshall meets all medical, hormonal and biological standards to legally compete in the women’s division.”

However, media pressure forced the IPC to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the future of transgender athletes in future competitions.

🎙️ Marshall’s spokesman responded strongly:

“It is irresponsible for someone as influential as JK Rowling to use her platform to attack a disabled woman – simply because she does not fit her personal definition of ‘woman’.”

🧠 The big question: Can equity and inclusion go hand in hand?

Sports biologist Dr. Rachel Wu commented:

“In the Paralympics, every athlete is different – ​​physically, with a disability, with a genetic makeup. Adding gender to the mix only complicates things. But banning someone just because they are transgender is also dangerous.”

🧨 The story doesn’t stop with Marshall

A series of other transgender athletes are under scrutiny:

Holly Berenson – was booed by the audience when she won the international swimming competition in the disabled category

Leo Tanaka (Japan) – was rejected by his own country’s Federation to compete despite meeting the standards

🗣️ Politicians get involved:

US Senator Josh Hawley : “You can’t call this women’s sports if real women are no longer protected.”

AOC (US Congresswoman) : “Instead of defending feminism, Rowling is weaponizing it against transgender people.”

Donald Trump Jr .: “A transgender athlete wins a women’s paralympian? They’re making a mockery of America.”

🎯 Conclusion: When glory is overshadowed by prejudice

Avery Marshall’s victory should have been a symbol of resilience and overcoming adversity. Instead, it became a global culture war between:

Recognition or suspicion?

Biology or gender identity?

Fairness or privilege in disguise?