Trans Athlete DQ'd from Strongwoman Contest

Andrea Thompson, a British strongwoman, was retroactively awarded the World's Strongest Woman title after the initial winner, Jammie Booker, was disqualified. Booker, who had identified as female, was revealed to be biologically male, leading to her disqualification by the Official Strongman Games organizers. Thompson initially placed second and expressed frustration, believing she was good enough to win, only to later learn of Booker's transgender identity.

Booker had not disclosed her biological sex during the application process, which required participants to declare their sex at birth. Following the competition, with speculation mounting online, organizers investigated and confirmed Booker's biological sex. They issued a statement clarifying their policy that competitors must be assigned to categories based on their sex recorded at birth to ensure fairness.

Thompson voiced her disappointment not only for herself but for other athletes whose podium opportunities and recognition were affected. She emphasized the importance of honesty and expressed concern about the implications for female sports, highlighting that the deception undermined the integrity of the competition and potentially other athletes' futures.