Girls high school track athlete's thumbs down gesture wasn't aimed at trans runner, school says

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A California girls high school track athlete who finished behind a transgender competitor in a sectional Meet of Champions race over the weekend did not give a thumbs down to signal disapproval of the person who finished in front of her, the school said Monday.

The athlete was identified as Adeline Johnson, of The Branson School, finished in fourth place in the varsity girls 1,600-meter finals on Saturday. Amid the uproar over transgender athlete Athena Ryan finishing in second place, Johnson was seen on video giving a thumbs down toward the crowd.

The gesture was initially connected to Johnson possible disapproval of Ryan finishing in second, but the school told the New York Post that was not the case.

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Runners take their mark on the track. (Adobe Stock)

"The ‘thumbs-down’ gesture made by Branson runner Adeline Johnson on the infield at the NCS Meet of Champions on May 20, 2023 was a response to her mother regarding Adeline’s individual performance, and it should not be construed as a statement about her competitors," Assistant Head of School Nathalio Gray told the newspaper.

Gray said the school "supports and commends all of the athletes for their performances."

One of the parents of a child who lost to Ryan in the meet blasted the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for allowing a biological male to compete against girls.

The parent told Fox News Digital they were "absolutely opposed to it."

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Adeline Johnson was not upset with Athena Ryan's finish, according to