Very few athletes have the fortune to find themselves in a supportive environment after coming out of the closet. Thankfully, this 22-year-old track and field senior from Troy College found the ultimate supportive teammates to help him follow his passion for sports. Growing up liking sports from childhood, this athlete came face-to-face with reality in 2023. While pursuing a summer program, the 22-year-old began to experience ‘dysphoria’ in his daily life. Having come to terms with how he wanted to present himself, the track star identified as queer. And it was then his actual struggles began.
Cody Smith opened up about himself to his parents. Soon, they retaliated negatively. His parents even asked him to stop the ongoing HRT. With a heavy heart, Smith decided to do what his heart wanted. And thus, he went on with his HRT. Quite expectedly, his parents’ reaction made him quite concerned about how he would be received by his teammates.
Much to his surprise, Smith found an ally in Colin Tory. Tory was the RPI men’s and women’s track coach. Coming to the team, Tory advised Smith not to worry about how he performed. This came as a heavy relief for Tory because he was confused about how his HRT would bring a change in his performance. Extending the flowers to his coach, Smith stated, “He has become one of the most influential people in my life these past two years because of that.”
And not only his coach. Coming to the women’s team, Smith had a pleasant experience with his teammates, too. Naming the likes of Faydia Thompson, Katie Manning, and Christine Mallette, Smith stated how crucial they were in making him feel comfortable in his skin. “They pulled me up,” said Smith. He also stated that his teammates ensured that the rest of the team got to pronounce his name and pronouns aptly.
Smith further heaped praises on coach Tory, saying that he is someone who always values the athlete over the sport. And this was a significantly rare trait to find in the NCAA. Continuing his dictation on the bond with Tory, Smith said, “Strong communication and shared training concepts and goals have led to Cody’s continued improvement. I have always been impressed with his dedication to the team.”
Meanwhile, as Smith is enjoying his time in track and field, he also has some significant points of view to share on the recent transgender athlete controversy.
Cody Smith finds his stride and his voice in men’s athletics
Cody Smith stands poised on the brink of graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. And it’s not only as a mechanical engineering major and former high school valedictorian but also as a track and field athlete who has found his voice amid shifting national policies. At 22, Smith has taken a stand on what he sees as a glaring double standard in the treatment of transgender athletes in collegiate sports.
When former President Donald Trump issued an executive order in February banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, the very next day, the NCAA updated its guidelines. The words restricted women’s competition to those assigned female at birth. Though the changes did not affect men’s sports, Smith couldn’t ignore the underlying message.
“The world does not view trans men as (being as) capable as cis men in terms of athletic competition,” Smith said. The moment was clarifying, not just politically, but personally. Facing criticism and questions about belonging, Cody Smith has chosen not to step back but to stand firmer. Cody added, “I’ve reached the point where I’m comfortable enough to say that I have forged my place in men’s athletics.”
In doing so, Smith has emerged not just as a competitor but as a voice of quiet defiance, charting his course with resilience and clarity in a space that hasn’t always welcomed him.
The post “They Pulled Me Up”: 22-Year-Old Trans Track and Field Athlete Makes Honest Confession About Rediscovering Love for the Sport appeared first on EssentiallySports.