Aayden Gallagher recently made headlines by becoming the Oregon Girls’ 6A 200-meter state champion on Saturday, May 18. However, their victory was met with mixed reactions from the audience.
As Aayden, a sophomore at McDaniel High School, crossed the finish line ahead of Roosevelt High School’s Aster Jones with a time of 23.82 seconds, some members of the crowd started booing. The commotion was captured in a video shared by swimmer Riley Gaines.
Despite the boos, Gallagher stood proud at the podium to be announced as the champion. This triumph was Gallagher’s second major achievement of the weekend after finishing second in the 400-meter race with a close finish of 52.98 seconds, just behind Lake Oswego High School’s Josie Donelson.
The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has a policy allowing students to compete in sports based on their consistently asserted gender identity. According to their handbook, this rule promotes fair competition while providing a safe environment for all students.
“The OSAA recognizes that this policy will need regular reviews based on improved understanding of gender identity and expression,” the handbook states, emphasizing collaboration with the Oregon Department of Education.
Although Aayden’s accomplishments were tainted by negative reactions, their performance shows resilience and talent, underscoring the ongoing conversations about inclusivity in sports.
