Seven-time Mr. Olympia champion Phil Heath has weighed in on the controversial issue of transgender athletes competing against biological women, stating he believes trans athletes should have their own league separate from biological women.
In a wide-ranging interview, Heath was asked for his “general view” on the issue of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. “I think that they should just have their own league,” Heath stated. “I think it’s just don’t make it so confusing.”
The bodybuilding icon elaborated, saying that while he wants everyone to be able to “live their life” as they choose, he sees transgender women competing against biological females as a form of cheating due to biological differences.
“I think under a certain kind of physiology means you can still compete against it,” Heath said, referring to transgender women retaining biological advantages over biological women even after transition. “I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to, as a competitor – I’m a very competitive person – why wouldn’t you want to go against trans people?”
Heath used the example of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who created controversy by demolishing records in women’s collegiate swimming after previously competing as a male. “You weren’t successful as a male swimmer, so now you’re just killing all these biological women? It’s nuts,” Heath stated bluntly.
The bodybuilding legend even suggested that women athletes should have boycotted competitions that allowed transgender athletes, saying “if all women athletes said we’re just not going to do this, it would stop tomorrow.”
Heath’s comments are likely to amplify the already heated debate around transgender athletes and where the lines should be drawn to balance inclusion with competitive fairness. His stature as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time will likely add significant weight to his opinion on the controversial issue.