The survey by Concerned Women for America also recorded more than 14,301 participations and USD 501,498 in prizes won by transgender athletes in women's events since the mid-1980s
The women's sport faces an unprecedented crisis after it was revealed that transgender athletes have stripped biological women and girls of nearly 2,300gold medals in the United States. According to data collected over more than four decades —since the mid-1980s—, male competitors participating in categories that do not correspond to their sex at birth have displaced female athletes from championship positions a total of 2,293 times.
In addition to the stripping of titles, professional women's sport has suffered a direct economic loss, losing $501,498 in cash prizes that went to biologically male competitors. This alarming snapshot was detailed on September 23, 2026 in the New York Post, based on research from the evangelical and conservative public policy group Concerned Women for America (Concerned Women for America LAC).
Imane Khelif, "trans boxer"
To prepare the report, the organization analyzed records from HeCheated, an online database managed by volunteers that documents the participation of transgender-identified men in female competitions. The findings reveal that these competitors have intervened in more than 14,301 events of women's sports, covering both amateur and professional levels.
In light of the compelling figures, the president and CEO of Concerned Women for America LAC, Penny Nance, denounced the structural inequality faced by athletes, stating: "Biological men have clear advantages over biological women. This reality not only endangers women but eliminates opportunities for biological women to earn a living and win competitions".
Furthermore, Penny Nance made a passionate call to public action, questioning in a press release: "How many more women and girls will be subjected to an unbalanced playing field? It is time to put an end to this inherent injustice and protect women's sports".
Imane Khelif
This controversy has escalated to the United States Congress, where Concerned Women for America is demanding the urgent passage of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a legislative initiative aimed at prohibiting biological men from competing on women's sports teams in educational institutions across the country.
Although the bill was approved by the House of Representatives in January 2025, the proposal remains stalled in the United States Senate, where the Senate Judiciary Committee held the hearing "Standing Up for Women in Sports: Ensuring Opportunity, Fairness and Safety for Female Athletes" to address the issue.
In the professional realm, prominent figures have raised their voices against the inclusion of biological men, such as Sophie Cunningham, a player in the WNBA on the Indiana Fever team, who sparked the debate in July by publicly stating in an interview with ESPN that women "should not have to compete against biological men" on the court.
Trans Athlete
In response to the criticism received, Sophie Cunningham clarified her position, stating: "I received a lot of negative comments about hating trans people. And I said, 'I never said that'". The professional athlete emphasized the guiding principle of her claim, stating: "I believe I am here to give love. But I also believe that with that love comes the truth, being honest. And I want to protect girls in a locker room or young women in sports, who should not have to compete against biological men".
The impact of this issue is starkly evident at the school and regional levels, where the case of AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete born male, generated outrage after dominating multiple women's track and field events in California. AB Hernandez won the gold medal in long jump during the CIF tournament at Yorba Linda High School on May 23, 2026, sparking massive protests outside the venue. The demonstration was led by former NCAA athlete Sophia Lorey under the slogan Save Girls' Sports, where a protester confronted the inaction of California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of abandoning female athletes and asserting that "girls are being threatened".
