Trans row shows 'women's sport needs defending' as ex-Team GB athlete says: 'Imagine if Germany fielded male goalkeeper in Euro 2022 final'

Trans row shows 'women's sport needs defending' as ex-Team GB athlete says: 'Imagine if Germany fielded male goalkeeper in Euro 2022 final'
Mara Yamauchi
Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 03/08/2022

- 11:44

Updated: 08/08/2022

- 11:19

England won the Women's Euros after beating Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley

Former Team GB marathon runner Mara Yamauchi has expressed optimism over trans-women athletes being banned from women's sport, saying the "tide is turning".

In an exclusive interview with GB News, the athlete spoke about the prospect of a male football player taking part in the Women's Euro final, which England won 2-1 against Germany.


Speaking on Dan Wootton Tonight, she said: "If for example, the German goalkeeper had been male, how would they feel about that?

"Men are on average taller than females and height matters massively in goal, men on average have longer arms and legs than females.

Former Team GB athlete Mara Yamauchi has pledged to keep fighting for women's sport.
Former Team GB athlete Mara Yamauchi has pledged to keep fighting for women's sport.
Image: GB News

"I encourage your viewers, just ask yourself, how would I feel had Germany fielded a trans woman?

"Somebody born male, in a women's European final."

Ms Yamauchi pledged to "continue defending women's sport" amid controversy over trans athletes taking part, such as Laurel Hubbard, who was able to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in weightlifting.

Speaking about possibly being "put off" speaking discussing the issue due to the threat of being labelled "transphobic," Ms Yamauchi said the term has "lost all meaning".

Chloe Kelly celebrates clinching the winner in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley.
Chloe Kelly celebrates clinching the winner in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley.
Jonathan Brady

She said: "The term 'transphobic has really lost all meaning, it's hurled at anyone who challenges the dogma of gender identity ideology.

"When you challenge them, they can't come up with anything.

"People can call me transphobic all they want but I will continue to defend women's sport for people who were born female only.

"Without that, we no longer have women's sport, what we would have is mixed sport and men's sport."

Outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson has recently expressed support for excluding transgender athletes from competing in women’s events as the Government applies pressure on sports bodies to impose bans.

Mr Johnson indicated he supports swimming governing body Fina’s bar on transgender athletes who have gone through male puberty from competing in women’s events.

LGBT Campaigns associate director Sasha Misra criticised the PM's stance, saying: "We know that the majority of the public feel supportive and compassionate towards trans people, who are their family, friends and neighbours.

"All that is achieved by this kind of media coverage is that trans people feel less safe in their day to day lives, and the public has less opportunity to hear from the Government on the pressing political matters of the day."

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