Transgender athlete sues Princeton University over 'emotional and physical harm' at track meet

Princeton University is facing a lawsuit from a transgender athlete who claims they were unfairly excluded from a women's race earlier this year.

Sadie Schreiner is suing the school, accusing Princeton of violating New Jersey anti-discrimination laws at the event in May.

According to the lawsuit, Schreiner attempted to compete in the women's 200 meters at the Larry Ellis Invitational as one of nearly 150 racers who were not attached to a university or club.

But 15 minutes before the race, it is alleged, 'she discovered that her name was not listed in any of the heats'.

'I do not want to assume, but you are transgender,' a Princeton official told Schreiner, according to the complaint. 

The lawsuit accuses two school officials of being in 'blatant and willful disregard of Sadie’s rights based on Sadie’s rights as a transgender woman under controlling New Jersey law.'

It is claimed that their actions caused 'Sadie Schreiner to foreseeable emotional and physical harm'.

Schreiner also claims the university violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, which designates 'gender identity or expression' as a protected status. The Daily Mail has contacted Princeton for comment.

The New York-born runner previously competed for the Rochester Institute of Technology, twice collecting All-American honors.

Schreiner set a number of school records, including in the 200m and 400m, and at the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Schreiner finished third in the 200m. 

Earlier this year, however, President Trump signed an executive order entitled 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports' and the following day the NCAA changed its policy on transgender athletes. 

Later that month, Schreiner was barred from competing at Boston University Valentine Invitational. Weeks later, Schreiner claimed: 'I very likely just ran what will be my last meet in the United States.'

In a March Instagram video, Schreiner said: 'Now, with the NCAA banning me, with USA Track & Field banning me, with World Athletics banning me, and with colleges too scared to allow me to participate due to Trump’s executive order, there is nowhere in the country that I’m able to compete,'