Moment trans runner wins 400m race a full second ahead of rivals – before being booed on the podium while collecting her gold medal
- Trans high school runner Veronica Garcia won a state title in the girls 400 meters
- Garcia finished one second ahead of the first biological female runner, Lauren Matthew
- After Garcia’s victory, Riley Gaines, an anti-trans activist, criticized the outcome
A transgender teen athlete was booed as she took her first spot on the podium Saturday after winning the 400-meter dash at the Washington State Championship.
Veronica Garcia, a transgender high school runner from the East Valley School District in Spokane, Washington finished with a time of 55.75 – a full second ahead of the first biologically female runner.
West Valley School District’s Lauren Matthew didn’t have the strength to stay a full second behind Garcia with a time of 56.75.
Although there were cheers as the competitors crossed the finish line, that’s when Garcia climbed the podium and cheers were clearly heard at the WIAA State Championship Meet in Tacoma, Washington.
Trans high school runner Veronica Garcia won the girls 400m race in the 2A division at the WIAA State Championship Meet in Tacoma, Washington, a full second ahead of her rival
Garcia could be seen pulling ahead of her female rivals as she seemed to take things into her attack as she crossed the finish line
When Garcia took the stage, there was no applause for her. Only cheering could be heard
As the host announced Matthew’s name, all the girls gathered in the stadium and clapped and cheered for her respectable second place finish.
But when first place was awarded to Garcia, there was near silence in the stadium.
Her fellow runners stood on the podium in complete silence with their hands behind their backs.
In a clear sign of disapproval, there was a stunned silence in the crowd until Veronica’s name was heard shouting, to which she gave a thumbs up.
It’s the latest in a string of victories for Garcia, who appears to be performing much better than when she competed on the boys’ team.
Last month, she finished 13th in a field of 152 girls at the Washington State 2A Championships after a cross country meet.
But last year, Garcia could only reach 164th out of 172 in the boys’ 5,000 meters at a regional championship held in the fall.
Public schools in Washington state specify that all students participating in physical education and athletics can participate in the category that corresponds to their gender identity without having to provide proof of medical transition.
Following Garcia’s victory, Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer who has campaigned against allowing trans athletes to compete in women’s sports, took to social media
Veronica Garcia, aka Davina Brown, aka Donovan Brown, of Washington State won the 1600 Sprint Medley Relay last month
Veronica Garcia, left, helped East Valley High School win the girls district team title this season
Veronica Garcia also helped East Valley HS win the girls district team title this season. She is primarily seen on stage wearing glasses
On Saturday night, after Garcia’s victory, Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer who has campaigned against allowing trans athletes to compete in women’s sports, took to social media and posted a video of the race.
“Look at that… what never happens has happened again.
“Veronica Garcia (Donovan Brown) just won the Washington State Girls 400 Meter Championship with total dominance.”
Gaines became an anti-trans activist after finishing tied for fifth with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at a 2022 swimming meet. However, Thomas was presented with the trophy to Gaines.
The Kentucky swimmer has since joined forces with a dozen college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on Thursday, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing Thomas to compete.