“Female who didn’t take steroids” - Martina Navratilova throws shade at other record holders as she hails Keely Hodgkinson as the fastest 800m

Martina Navratilova threw shade at other top record holders in 800m after she hailed Keely Hodgkinson the 'fastest' for her stupendous performance at the London Athletics Meet. The American said how Hodgkinson had the fastest time by a 'female', who hadn't consumed any 'steroids'.

Navratilova is a huge advocate of fairness in sports and has vehemently expressed her disdain towards the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports since they took away the level playing field from biological women.

Keely Hodgkinson, the 22-year-old who clinched the gold at the Paris Olympics and the European Athletic Championships, recorded a 1:54:61 run at the London Athletics Meet, a part of the 2024 Diamond League. Due to her aforementioned accolades, she has been nominated for BBC's Sports Personality of the Year.

An X user Jon Pike remarked how his vote was going for Hodgkinson and mentioned the other six record runs that were faster than hers.

"I will certainly be voting for Keely Hodgkinson for #BBCSPOTY. In some of the accompanying coverage, it's said that Hodgkinson has the 6th fastest time ever, with her 1.54.61, and, in a way, this is true. But it's worth having a closer look at the times, and the names ..."

The list included athletes who have been accused of using performance-enhancing drugs like Jarmila Kratochvilova and athletes with intersex conditions like Caster Semenya.

Martina Navratilova responded to Pike's tweet hailing Keely Hodgkinson as the fastest.

"It’s the fastest 800 m by a female who didn’t take steroids…"

"Nothing" - Martina Navratilova on being suspicious of the authorities during her time in Czechoslovakia

Martin Navratilova - Source: Getty

A user questioned Martina Navratilova if she ever had a hunch about any 'suspicious' activities taking place during her time in Czechoslovakia.

"Do you ever speak to the Czechoslovak athletes from that era and have they ever confided in you about drug taking? Did you notice anything suspicious yourself from the authorities when you lived there?" the fan asked.

Navratilova was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, however, her citizenship was taken away after she sought political asylum in the United States in 1975. She received American citizenship in 1981 and her Czech citizenship was also restored in 2008 following which she became a dual citizen.

Navratilova responded:

"No. Nothing."

Martina Navratilova is still continuing her fight to give women's sports a level playing field. She has been championing sex-based categories in sports and recently opined on the 'pre-puberty' advantages in men.