These female athletes need to speak up about keeping women's sports for women, like Sophie Cunningham did

The issue of biological men participating in women’s sports has been a major issue for years now. It’s a polarizing debate among people from the highest offices in government to everyday citizens.

Yet despite the prominence of this issue and conversation, many of the world’s most influential female sports stars have never publicly addressed it. Some have, unfortunately, openly and unapologetically supported male “inclusion,” while others have offered carefully measured responses. Shockingly, many have simply never been asked about it, from what I can see in the public record.

Sophie Cunningham became one of just a handful of prominent female athletes to take a strong stance in the effort to “protect young girls” by keeping women’s sports female.

Cunningham’s statements have made me wonder what exactly some of the most prominent female athletes (past and present) have said on the issue.

I do find this humorous because any high level high school boys team could join the PWHL (women’s pro hockey league) and dominate.

Knight’s comments came during media discussions surrounding policy changes affecting international hockey. While she was directly asked about inclusion and policy decisions, she did not advocate for blanket exclusion and instead emphasized inclusion and respect for all athletes.

As Cunningham has said as she doubled down on her stance, this issue is “common sense.” So, when will one of these prominent female athletes, or others like them, use their platform and voice to speak up for the girls who are desperately looking for one of their inspirations and athletic idols to help protect them from men who are invading their sports and spaces?