USA Powerlifting responds after Minnesota Supreme Court rules disqualifying trans athlete was discrimination

Team Canada powerlifter April Hutchinson and former NCAA swim champion Marshi Smith discuss the challenges of facing biological males in women's sports after a lawsuit forced USA Powerlifting to allow them to compete in the women's division.

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that USA Powerlifting's (USAPL) decision to reject a biological male trans athlete from competition in the women's category was "discrimination."

USA Powerlifting has now responded, criticizing the court's decision. 

"Our goal since litigation commenced against USA Powerlifting  in 2021 was to present all the facts and evidence of our actions to a jury," the organization said in a statement to OutKick. "We are pleased that both of Minnesota’s state appellate courts agree we have a right to present a claim of business discrimination to a jury and look forward to offering our evidence toward that end."

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The Minnesota Supreme Court made a ruling in a powerlifting case. (Fox News Digital)

USAPL also praised the decision to let one of its claims proceed. The ruling sent part of the case back to a lower court to determine whether USA Powerlifting has a "legitimate business purpose" for excluding the trans athlete. 

"Our goal since litigation commenced against USA Powerlifting (USAPL) in 2021 was to present all the facts and evidence of our actions to a jury," the organization said. "We are pleased that both of Minnesota’s state appellate courts agree we have a right to present a claim of business discrimination to a jury and look forward to offering our evidence toward that end."

The trans athlete, JayCee Cooper, sued USA Powerlifting in 2021, alleging the organization engaged in