This week, Dutch professional darts players Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf announced that they were leaving the Netherlands national team as a result of transgender teammate Noa-Lynn van Leuven, who they do not believe should be allowed to compete. And van Leuven said their decision has taken an emotional toll on her already.
Zijlstra announced her decision with a post on Facebook.
“The moment you’re embarrassed to be a part of the Dutch Team, because a biological man is playing in the women’s team, it’s time to go,” she wrote, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“I have tried to accept this, but I can not condone or justify this.
“I think that with sports there has to be an equal and level playing field which is to be used and accepted in good faith. After all, we have worked so hard to be relevant and competitive in this sport.”
In the comments of her post, de Graaf also announced her departure from the team, echoing the thoughts of Zijlstra.
“At some point you have to make decisions if something goes against your feelings,” she wrote.
“You have to do what feels right for you. Hence my decision to also leave the Dutch team.”
After hearing the news, van Leuven offered her reaction.
“This was their decision and not mine. The only sad thing about this issue is that a lot of people forget that I am also just a human,” she said.
It’s worth noting that van Leuven is in compliance with all rules.
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