Sports organizations can either protect women’s sports from being invaded by men, or watch them eventually be destroyed. Those are the only two options.

World Athletics took the first path, banning men who went through male puberty from competing against women. The world’s track and field governing body left the door open for a future change when “we understand a great deal more about the science around this.” But the science has been clear for decades, long before transgenderism became a social contagion. Men have natural strength and speed advantages over women. It is indisputable.

The world of women’s cycling has taken the second path, and the result is that women are being run out of the sport. Hannah Arensman, a national champion in women’s cyclocross, announced her retirement. In her final race, she came in fourth place, with men placing third and fifth. “It is difficult for me to think about the very real possibility I was overlooked for an international selection on the US team at Cyclocross Worlds in February 2023 because of a male competitor,” Arensman said .

Days later, a 47-year-old man won his 20th women's cycling race since 2018. That man, Tiffany Thomas, is 15-20 years older than the women he is competing against, and yet he continues to win because he is a man.

This was also made clear in women’s weightlifting when a man from New Zealand qualified for the Olympics to compete against women who were a decade younger than him.

The destruction of women’s sports for female athletes has been allowed to continue in Connecticut, where female high school track athletes had college opportunities taken away by two male athletes who were allowed to compete against them despite not being female. Their lawsuit against the state’s policy was dismissed but has been granted an appeal, which is great news for female athletes who want fair competitions now and in the future.

But the damage has been done to them and the other female athletes who were forced to compete against male athletes for years.

With more and more young people identifying as transgender because of social contagion, this trend of men competing in women’s sports is likely to become more prominent. Sports leagues and organizations can adapt and make it clear that only women — actual women — should be competing in women’s sports. Or they can let men take over and win women’s championships, making women second-class citizens in their own sports. World Athletics made the right choice. Who will follow suit?