A transgender athlete has filed a lawsuit against Princeton University, alleging discrimination after being removed from a women’s race at a university-hosted track meet earlier this year.
Sadie Schreiner, a transgender woman and former collegiate runner, claims she was barred from participating in the women’s 200-meter dash at Princeton’s Larry Ellis Invitational on May 3rd, just minutes before the race began. Schreiner had registered as an unattached athlete, unaffiliated with any university or club.
According to the complaint filed in New Jersey Superior Court, Schreiner contacted event staff after realizing her name had been removed from the race lineup. She was reportedly directed to speak with Princeton’s athletic director John Mack and track operations director Kimberly Keenan-Kirkpatrick. During the exchange, Keenan-Kirkpatrick allegedly stated, “I do not want to assume, but you are transgender,” and suggested a separate event had been considered for Schreiner.
The lawsuit names both university officials as defendants, along with Leone Timing and Results Services, a New York-based company that handled the event’s official timing. Schreiner’s legal team argues that the removal violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, which protects individuals based on their gender identity and expression in public accommodations, including educational institutions.
Schreiner’s attorney, Susie Cirilli, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, describing the officials’ actions as “intolerable in a civilized community.”
The incident follows recent changes in athletic eligibility standards. In February, the NCAA updated its policy to restrict participation in women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth, aligning more closely with guidelines set by World Athletics. Schreiner had previously competed for the women’s track and field team at Rochester Institute of Technology but was ruled ineligible following the NCAA’s revision and a related executive order signed by former President Donald Trump.
Candidate for New Jersey Governor Jack Ciattarelli took to X and posted, “The lawsuit by a transgender athlete against Princeton University is yet another example of 8 years of Democrat control run amok. Let me be clear: biological males should not be allowed to compete against women in athletics. It’s unfair and unsafe. When I’m Governor, this nonsense will end. My AG will not promote or defend this nonsense. End of story.”
Princeton University and Leone Timing have not publicly responded to the allegations.
Schreiner, who has continued competing in other events, indicated on social media that ongoing eligibility restrictions might bring an end to her athletic career in the United States.
