Megan Youngren, who finished the California International Marathon in two hours and 43 minutes, will be the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the 2020 Olympic marathon trials, Sports Illustrated reports. If successful, Youngren could go on to represent Team USA in Tokyo, an honor held by only the most elite athletes in the country. Youngren follows in the footsteps of Chris Mosier, the first transgender man to compete in an Olympic trial, and the first transgender athlete to be sponsored by Nike.
Megan Youngren, who finished the California International Marathon in two hours and 43 minutes, will be the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the 2020 Olympic marathon trials,If successful, Youngren could go on to represent Team USA in Tokyo, an honor held by only the most elite athletes in the country. Youngren
, the first transgender man to compete in an Olympic trial, and the first transgender athlete to be sponsored by Nike.long-distance running . She began running for weight loss and health in 2013, and three years later she competed in the Equinox Marathon in Fairbanks, Alaska, with a finish time of four hours, 48 minutes. The elevation on that marathon trail was 3,285—a trail that could kill the spirit of any nonprofessional runner, but Youngren only wanted more.
“I thought that if I worked incredibly hard and took some huge risks that I could run a 2:45,” Youngren told. “People will try to put it down by saying, ‘That’s too easy because you’re trans.’ But what about the 500 other women who will qualify? There’s probably someone with the exact same story. I trained hard. I got lucky. I dodged injuries. I raced a lot, and it worked out for me. That’s the story for a lot of other people, too.
As Youngren moves towards her historic appearance at the Olympic qualifiers on February 29, she faces more than harsh trails and lactic acid build-up. Trans athletes looking to compete at the Olympics must fall in line with the IOC’s strict rules on testosterone levels.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Fastest Downhill Marathons for Boston QualifyingBut beyond flat, there’s an entirely separate type of marathon that promises speed that runners are flocking to: downhill marathons.
Read more »
This Groom Ran a Marathon Relay With His Groomsmen the Morning of His WeddingHe said his wife was supportive of him even going the whole 26.2 if he wanted to—just as long as he showed up showered and on-time for the ceremony.
Read more »
Sanders holds narrow lead as NH culls presidential fieldBernie Sanders held a small lead over Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar as Monday night's results were coming in in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden were vying for fourth, but neither was on track to receive delegates.
Read more »
Sanders holds narrow lead as NH culls presidential fieldBernie Sanders held a small lead over Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar as Tuesday night's results were coming in in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden were vying for fourth, but neither was on track to receive delegates.
Read more »