A Canadian adviser to the federal minister of women has defended participation in women’s marathons and running competitions despite being a transgender biological male, Fox News reports.
Nathanielle Morin’s statement comes amid growing debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports, particularly after former US President Donald Trump issued an executive order earlier this month banning transgender women from competing. The decision, which took effect immediately, follows Trump’s signing of the “No Men in Women’s Sports” order.
Morin competes at an amateur recreational level and addressed concerns in a statement this week. They acknowledge that their participation in multiple competitions has attracted attention.
“I am aware that my participation in so many competitions will be talked about because of my medical history. The situation in the United States and the comments of certain politicians do not help either,” Morin was quoted as saying to Fox news.
Trump’s executive order also states that any publicly funded institution in the US that allows trans athletes to compete in girls’ or women’s sports will lose its federal funding.
Despite the orders, Morin believes competing in women’s categories is justified.
“With all due respect to the level I compete at (amateur recreational), the state of scientific research in the field (for the amateur recreational level) and the fact that I have undergone a medical transition, I consider that I have the legitimacy to participate in the right category, unless the law prohibits me from doing so. Let us remember that in Canada, no law prohibits it. As for other countries, I will comply with the local laws in force when it applies.”
Morin also noted that additional medical research would be considered in deciding whether to continue competing in women’s events.
On Tuesday, Morin posted further thoughts on X, saying, “Trans folks only want to fully integrate as their authentic self and be happy, in our society.”

Morin’s most notable recent competition was the 5-kilometre BougeBouge run on 4 February 2024, where Morin secured first place with a time of 25:32, earning the title of “fastest female” across all age categories. The runner-up was a girl in the 10-12 age category, finishing at 26:08. If Morin had not competed, she would have been the winner.
If Morin had raced in the men’s category, the finishing time would have placed 10th among all male participants.
In Canada, laws protect trans athletes’ inclusion in women’s and girls’ sports. Since June 2017, all places within Canada must comply with the Canadian Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression.
Meanwhile, Trump has also floated the idea of Canada potentially becoming the 51st state, which, in a hypothetical scenario, could mean adopting similar laws on transgender athletes.