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Cunningham said her position centers on protecting opportunities that generations of female athletes fought to establish.

“When it comes to just protecting young girls in sport and women in sport, I feel very strongly about that,” she said.

She specifically pointed to Title IX, the landmark federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education programs.

“That’s why you have Title IX. That’s why you have some of the greats in women’s sports,” Cunningham said.

At the same time, Cunningham rejected claims that her position reflected hostility toward transgender people.

“I have never once said that I hated the trans community,” she said, adding that she believes “there is room to love everyone.”