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Ricki was one of Australia’s first out transgender sportswomen
Article by the ABC – Amanda Shalala
Read the full text here:In the early 90s, Ricki Coughlan graced magazine covers, made newspaper headlines and appeared on TV talk shows.
The unassuming gym manager from Sydney’s south became an instant celebrity — and it was because she was one of the first out transgender women in Australian sport.
Quote:“When people talk to me about being an icon, a pioneer and all of these things, it’s kind of odd to me because back in those days, I didn’t think there would be anyone following me,” the former middle-distance runner says.“And my main concern was that people were thinking I was a cheat of some kind and I felt that my honesty was being questioned, and my commitment to women’s sport was being questioned.
“I didn’t realise I was fighting for anyone’s future but mine to be honest.”
Quote:Ricki is now 62 and still runs every day, sporting her trademark plaited pigtails and baseball cap.But the running coach barely registers a second glance from passers-by these days, a far cry from the attention that surrounded her when she was outed.
Ricki’s first introduction into the sport and exercise world came after she transitioned in her early 20s.She started by going to a weight training gym, then became an aerobics instructor, and eventually she discovered running — competing at club and state level in the 800 and 1,500 metres.
“I hadn’t told anyone about my story and my past because this was already like 10 years old by 1991, and I’d really moved beyond that and it wasn’t a thing in my life,” she said.“Now and again I would think, well would there be a problem if someone found out about my past while I was racing?
“I thought maybe some people might think it wasn’t good, but I didn’t think it would become the affair that it did.”
Ricki believes someone leaked some of her personal medical information, and soon word spread around the local athletics community that there was a transgender woman competing.
That’s when her quiet life in the suburbs became national news.
The Sydney Morning Herald ran a story stating “female athletes in NSW are gathering a petition and have vowed to fight to prevent a transsexual from competing in women’s events during the domestic season.”
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1 Reply
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Its great that she had support way back then but had to deal with some adverse publicity . Its still a difficult journey sometimes for those wishing to continue their sporting activities after coming out as Trans
