Lina Haaga, a transgender teenager from a wealthy family with a notable grandfather, has come under scrutiny after winning a closely contested track race in California where she outperformed her own sister.
Race Victory and Family Background
Haaga, born as Paul Haaga, secured first place in the women's varsity 400-meter race at the Prep League Championship Finals last week, as reported by Reduxx. She attends the prestigious Polytechnic School in Pasadena, which costs $48,900 annually, and completed the race in 59.45 seconds, narrowly beating her sister Sienna, who is in a higher grade.
The victory on April 29 marked Haaga's personal best in the 400-meter relay. The 14-year-old also contributed to her school's 400-meter relay team, helping secure gold in that event as well. Sienna attends Flintridge Preparatory School, which costs $50,750 per year. The sisters are grandchildren of Paul Haaga Jr., former CEO of NPR.
Online Reactions
Photos shared by the school's athletics team showed Haaga smiling after her double win. However, the news stirred significant online debate. One commenter questioned the fairness of the victory, while another expressed sympathy for California girls. A third criticized the high cost of tuition for such controversies. Others defended Haaga, celebrating her enjoyment and success in sports.
Haaga's Perspective
Haaga transitioned from male to female at a young age and has participated in various girls' sports, including basketball, swimming, water polo, and tennis. In a profile published by The Guardian earlier this year, she described the aversion to trans players in women's sports as "scary." She feels robbed of the "moment of bliss" in sports due to fear of discrimination. Haaga emphasized that she will continue playing women's sports as an "act of resistance."
Broader Context
Paul Haaga Jr., her grandfather, is a former acting President and CEO of NPR and former Chairman of the Board of Capital Research and Management Company, which manages over $3 trillion in assets. He currently chairs the Facebook Oversight Board. The Trump administration is suing California's Department of Education and the CIF over trans-inclusive sports policies, claiming they violate cisgender athletes' civil rights. Last year, California Governor Newsom broke with party lines, stating that trans athletes competing in women's sports is "deeply unfair."
