Competitive sports are not about inclusivity

They are exclusive by nature. And should remain so.

The males-who-say-they-are-women should be in women’s sports crew talks a lot about inclusion as a value to be prioritized and upheld in sports.

But here’s the thing: competitive sports are not about inclusion. They are, in fact, about the opposite. They are about exclusion. Not everyone gets a medal and not everyone makes the team. That’s the point.

And if we want to talk about broad societal goals — as Emma Vigeland seems to want to, the lessons in youth sports should be about working hard to achieve mastery, discipline, resilience, leadership and even that we all aren’t good at everything and if we want to excel, we have to work to find the things we are good at. And then double down and work hard at them to become even better.

Obviously exercise and physical health are a benefit of sports as well. But if that is the reason you are playing, participate in a recreational league or go to the gym. I’m certain that LeBron and Simone and Mbappe aren’t playing baskeball, gymnastics and soccer to be “healthy.” They are training — and playing — to win. To be the best. Period.