Track and field athlete Alexa Anderson has revealed the lengthy delay in receiving her third-place medal after a controversial protest against a transgender competitor. Following the Oregon state championship on May 30, 2025, Anderson, along with fellow athlete Reese Eckard, faced backlash and alleged threats, prompting her to take legal action against the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA).
Anderson’s protest occurred after the girls’ high jump competition, where she finished third. The athlete expressed her dissatisfaction with a trans athlete who placed fifth, leading her to step down from the podium in protest. Despite her efforts, Anderson claims she was not only excluded from the championship photo but also denied her medal, which she alleges was withheld for several months.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Anderson recounted her experience at the event. “I asked one of the officials, ‘Hey, are we going to get our medals?’ and she said they’d be shipped to our school. And then they were never shipped,” she stated. This delay in receiving the medal coincided with a surge of hostility directed at her, including death threats and calls for her expulsion from Tigard High School.
The fallout from her protest was significant. Anderson reported receiving numerous messages from critics, some of which included threats of violence. “I hope you die,” was one message she recalled, highlighting the extent of the backlash. Despite this, Anderson remained resolute in her beliefs, stating, “Part of me expected this and knew that’s just what happens when you stand up for what you believe in.”
Anderson’s legal battle against the OSAA has gained traction, with a federal judge recently denying the organization’s motion to dismiss parts of the lawsuit. This legal challenge emphasizes the issue of free speech in sports, particularly regarding the expression of political views. Anderson’s attorney, Leigh’Ann O’Neill of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), outlined the importance of the case. “OSAA needs to very affirmatively take a stand and demonstrate that they will respect all viewpoints from their athletes,” she stated.
Eventually, Anderson received her medal, which was sent to her legal representatives and later presented to her at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards in November. Alongside Eckard, she was honored with the Most Valuable Patriot award during the ceremony. Reflecting on her journey, Anderson expressed mixed feelings: “It’s definitely frustrating that we didn’t get them in the moment… but there are more important things that we’re fighting for.”
As she prepares for her upcoming freshman season at the University of South Alabama, Anderson has chosen to leave her medal at her parents’ home. While she acknowledges the significance of the award, she understands the broader implications of her actions. “Of course I wanted that medal… but a part of me knew that it was part of the sacrifice that I was making.”
In a landscape increasingly defined by polarized views on gender and sports, Anderson and Eckard’s case brings to light pressing questions about the intersection of athletics, identity, and free expression. As their lawsuit progresses, they aim to secure protections for students’ rights to express their beliefs in Oregon’s schools.
