Olympic swimmer Réka György calls out Virginia Governor Spanberger for withdrawing female sports regulation, tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/olympic-swimmer-reka-gyorgy-calls-virginia-governor-spanberger-withdrawing-female-sports-regulation)
19-09-2026
Hungarian Olympian and former Virginia Tech swimmer Réka György publicly criticized Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration after the state withdrew a proposed rule intended to restrict transgender females from competing on female sports teams and accessing female-designated private spaces such as locker rooms and restrooms.
Key Details of the StoryBackground of the Petition:
In April 2025, Györgyalong with former Roanoke College swimmers Lily Mullens and Carter Satterfieldpetitioned the Virginia State Board of Health to adopt regulations barring biological males from participating in organized female-only athletic competitions and entering intimate female spaces where athletes undress.
Approval Under Glenn Youngkin:
Under former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia Board of Health voted 14–0 in August 2025 to approve the petition and advance the rulemaking process, subsequently issuing a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action.
Withdrawal Under Abigail Spanberger:
On July 30, 2026, after the conclusion of a public comment period, Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration quietly ended the regulatory process. The state regulatory portal noted the withdrawal was made “upon review of statutory authority,” without an accompanying public press release or formal announcement from the governor’s office.
György’s Reaction:
In an interview with OutKick, György expressed frustration and disappointment, stating that political power was being used to “hurt other people” and that the quiet withdrawal suggested the administration was “afraid of the backlash.” She stated that she hopes to speak directly with Spanberger to urge her to stand up for female athletes and uphold the intent of Title IX.
György’s Personal Context:
György’s activism stems from the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming Championships, where she finished 17th in the 500-yard freestyle preliminary heatsmissing the consolation final by one spotwhile transgender swimmer Lia Thomas qualified and went on to win the national championship. György has frequently cited that experience, as well as her discomfort sharing locker rooms during the meet, as the driving factor behind her advocacy for protected female categories and private spaces.