Chris Mosier First Trans Person To Compete In Olympics

Chris Mosier First Trans Person To Compete In Olympics

Chris Mosier is the first trans person to compete in the Olympic trials.

Mosier made history recently when he became the first trans man to compete in a men’s Olympic trial run. He partook in the Team USA 50km race walking trials this past Saturday.

As a result of an injury, he had to withdraw from the trial midway through. That said, he still described it as an “incredible experience.”

“I feel extremely accomplished,” he wrote on Instagram.

Back in 2016, Mosier initially made history as the first trans person to be picked for Team USA.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

For all those following along: Today was incredible and heartbreaking. I ended up my very first DNF (did not finish), pulling out of the race early with a knee injury. . Since making it to the Olympic Trials was my main goal last year, I feel extremely accomplished. I started training in a new sport in May 2019. In January 2020, I was ranked 12th & toe the line with the best men in the nation. . I wanted come here today and have this experience and make history and celebrate. And with it being such a big, special race I had to line up; but the truth is my leg has been hurting for a long time and this morning I had two options: go all out today and hurt myself even more, or exit early and live to race another day. . I made the tough but wise choice. I have a torn meniscus in my right knee and will be looking at surgery very soon (but first any other options! DM me suggestions please!) . Despite the agony of watching most of this race from the sideline, I had a wonderful experience. I feel blessed to be here. I can’t downplay the significance of starting the race or the fact that I only started racewalking seven months ago and have done only two races prior – a pretty awesome beginning to my new sport. . This is just a step on my journey. @coach.robyn told me today: “progress is not a straight line” It’s true. . It’s all good as long as we are moving forward. And forward isn’t always a straight line either. This isn’t the end – on the contrary, this is very early in this new chapter. And I will say now with confidence: this is not my last race or last Olympic Trials. . Thank you to everyone who sent well wishes, good luck, and good vibes this weekend, and thank you for all support and congratulations throughout. Thanks for your text messages and videos – I felt the love and you really showed me what you’re about. ✊ . I really appreciate you being along for the ride. 🙏 Buckle up – we’re going to fix this knee and really let it rock! . #imagedescription Chris Mosier zips up a blue @nike jacket after withdrawing from the Olympic Trials race with a knee injury. . #transathlete #history #racewalking #nike #nikerunning #olympictrials #dnf #nodaysoff #nobaddays

A post shared by Chris Mosier (@thechrismosier) on Jan 25, 2020 at 9:37pm PST

Although he originally qualified in a duathlon, he decided to change gears because it duathlon’s are not Olympic sports.

Instead, he opted to race walk – which is an Olympic sport.

“I started training in a new sport in May 2019,” he said.

“In January 2020, I was ranked 12th and toe the line with the best men in the nation.”

According to Mosier, he has been struggling with a knee injury for a long time.

“I wanted come here today and have this experience and make history and celebrate,” he wrote.

“I made the tough but wise choice [to withdraw].

“Despite the agony of watching most of this race from the sideline, I had a wonderful experience. I feel blessed to be here.

“I can’t downplay the significance of starting the race or the fact that I only started race walking seven months ago and have done only two races prior – a pretty awesome beginning to my new sport.”

Mosier will now have an operation to repair his knee, but insisted that this was not the end.

“On the contrary, this is very early in this new chapter,” he said.

Although Mosier is the first trans man to compete in a men’s Olympic trial, Keelin Godsey was the first openly trans athlete to try out for a Team USA Olympic spot back in 2008.

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Michael Kyaw

Michael Kyaw, initially a PR Manager, built up a valuable network of connections in the sports world that he then utilized to become an influential sports business reporter. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, Fansided, ESPN and the Wall Street Journal.