document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. In an SI feature, USA Swimming representatives said they "have no issue" with her . [4] In 2017, she started attending the University of Pennsylvania. A letter penned by 16 swimmers on the University of Pennsylvania women's team says their transgender teammate Lia Thomas holds an 'unfair advantage' from a . at Ivy League Championship Day One. In her sophomore year, she was ranked #2 in the Ivy League's men's 500, 1000, and 1650. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Record at a meet in Ohio be lia thomas swimmer ranking before and after true selves, she has as. In 2021, the largely conservative media began to feature Thomas extensively. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Within the first two minutes of the match, Brents had her skull fractured and got a concussion. A day later, Henig and Thomas struck up a conversation at the far end of the pool, chatting and laughing as they leaned against the pool ropes. She is now an NCAA top fighter in all of those events if she competes in them at the collegiate championships. Born William Thomas, Lia previously competed for Penn's men's swimming team before coming out as a trans woman in 2019. To her supporters, this is a revolutionary act; the transgender student athlete competing on the women's swim team at the University of Pennsylvania is a role model, breaking barriersand NCAA records. ", while social media users responded by pointing out Jenner has previously expressed support for transgender athletes and has competed in women's golf. [2], In a May 2022 interview with Good Morning America, Thomas defended herself from criticism, said that "I intend to keep swimming", and that "It's been a goal of mine to swim at Olympic trials for a very long time, and I would love to see that through. However, Lia Thomas entered NCAA Champs ranked No. Lia Thomas Before And After Photos March 20, 2022 by Vim Buzz Local Correspondent Transgender swimmer of the University of Pennsylvania is a 22-year-old young lady known for being good at swimming and representing the various schools she has attended in the Olympics. Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas reportedly made an arrogant comment about how "easy" one of her races against female opposition was. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. The gap between mens and womens athletic performance was so big that if you didnt give women a special team their own team that they would not have opportunities in sports, she said. Penn swimmer Lia Thomas watches poolside at the NCAA championships. Privacy Policy. Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, swims for the University of Pennsylvania at an Ivy League swim meet against Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts on January 22, 2022. Most important to us is that Lias inclusion with unfair biological advantages means that we have lost competitive opportunities. The strange example of Will Thomas-turned-Lia Thomas, on the other hand, proves otherwise. It has often felt like Penn, our school, our league, and the NCAA did not support us. Yales Iszac Henig, a transgender man, won the 50-yard freestyle in a pool-record 21.93 seconds on Thursday and came in a close second to Thomas in the 100-yard freestyle. After announcing a gender transition, Thomas joined the women's swim team and has been smashing records ever since. Want trans people to be loved and accepted and be their true selves, she.. Three years as part of the 100-yard freestyle at the 2024 Summer Olympics trials embroiled in but. Inside of the 500-yard freestyle on Thursday pool has sparked a greater discussion about transgender athletes year! Lia Thomas's swimmer profile, including times, results, and more. Her time for the 500 freestyle is over 15 seconds slower than her personal bests before medically transitioning. An anonymous letter purportedly written on behalf of 16 of her 40 Penn teammates earlier this month criticized what they saw as her unfair advantage, saying they supported her gender transition out of the pool but not necessarily in it. pic.twitter . Dominant University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas wants to compete beyond college. Lia Thomas Before And After Photos. Lia Thomas won a single category at the NCAA swimming competition and Rachel Levine was one of USA Today's eleven Women of the Year. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much There isnt a middle ground, said Schuyler Bailar, who is a trans man. Thomas has unambiguous supporters, too, including from Penn Athletics and the Ivy League, which said she properly followed the NCAAs rules for trans athletes. I don't know what to say. The crowd of family and friends cheered politely, and Thomas posed for photos with Penn teammates and shook the hands of her closest competitors. Lia Thomas stood tall and smiled wide atop the championship podium, her nearly 6-foot-4 frame pushing her head past the top of the Ivy Leagues green photo backdrop. NCAA's 'sport-by-sport approach to transgender participation' stirs debate. The next year, Thomas took second place at the 2019 Ivy League championships in the mens 500-yard, 1,000-yard and 1,650-yard freestyle, shaving seconds off her earlier times. We have dedicated our lives to swimming. Penn senior Lia Thomas, a trans woman, won the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle races at the Ivy League Women's Swimming and Diving Championships this week. Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas sets Ivy record in 200-yard freestyle at Ivy championships. Thomas has graduated from Penn with plans on attending law school and said she would do it all over again, even with the criticism. The three-time gold medalist swimmer, civil rights lawyer and CEO of the non-profit advocacy group Champion Women has become a spokesperson of sorts for frustrated Penn swimmers and their parents. A former Olympian and Virginia Tech female swimmer blasted the NCAA in a letter Sunday over their policy of allowing biologically male swimmers to compete against women. Aqua Sphere Seal Kid 2 Blue Lens, Transgender University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas was crushed in the 100-meter breaststroke, finishing fifth, after being beaten by another transgender swimmer who is transitioning from female to male. Feb 17. [5] On the men's swim team in 20182019, Thomas finished second in the men's 500, 1,000, and 1,650-yard freestyle at the Ivy League championships as a sophomore in 2019. Posted at 09:48h in ck3 formable nations by In a sport like swimming, all these physical attributes can actually make a lot of difference. Sports Illustrated. Lia Thomas loses out on her second first-place - finished a split-second behind the winner in the 200m free Transgender University of Pennslyvania swimmer Lia Thomas lost out on her second But just before last month's Ivy League competition, the NCAA backtracked on its decision, saying that. There, she dominated the womens field in the 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, and 1,650-yard freestyle races, beating the second place finisher by about 7 seconds, 15 seconds and 38 seconds, respectively. Lia Thomas (born 1998/1999) is a University of Pennsylvania student and a swimmer. Women and liberals when you talk about LGBTQ: OMG how dare you?? The Austin, Texas, native began swimming at 5 years old and was a star athlete long before her gender transition. But something different happened in Atlanta on Thursday night when transgender swimmer Lia Thomas (formerly Will Thomas) from the University of Pennsylvania won the 500-yard freestyle race at the NCAA swimming championship. Lia appears to have chosen to identify with the female gender. 3 min read. NISCA All-America. Beginning in 2021, she became part of the public debate about transgender women in sports. [16], In the 20182019 season she was, when competing in the men's team, ranked 554 in the 200 freestyle, 65 in the 500 freestyle, and 32 in the 1650 freestyle. [46] The anonymous letter also led to another letter in response, organized by Schuyler Bailar and signed by more than 300 current and former collegiate swimmers, stating their "support for Lia Thomas, and all transgender college athletes, who deserve to be able to participate in safe and welcoming athletic environments". | Before It's News.after UPenn transgender swimmer Lia Thomas won the 500-free event at the NCAA Women's Thomas becomes the first known transgender athlete to win an NCAA Div I Championship. The Ivy League reaffirms its unwavering commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all student-athletes while condemning transphobia and discrimination in any form, the Ivy League wrote in a statement last month. Her time for the 500 freestyle is over 15 seconds slower than her personal bests before medically transitioning. A trans rights activist, Bailar said the outrage against Thomas inclusion on the team was not really about questions of sporting fairness. In mens 200 freestyle, Will Thomas was ranked in the mid-500. Lia Thomas, a swimmer from the University of Pennsylvania, will compete this week to become the first Division One openly transgender athlete to be crowned a national champion. Transgender woman Lia Thomas of the University of Pennsylvania talks to a reporter after winning the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Division I Women's Swimming & Diving Championshipon March 17 . I immediately reacted and attempted to stretch the legbut my body just wasn't responding. Lia Thomas, the transgender swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, won the NCAA championships in the 500-yard race on Thursday. Lia Thomas. One spectator spoke out as transgender college swimmer Lia Thomas prepared to crush his female competitors during an NCAA finals qualifier event on Thursday. Reka Gyorgy argued in the letter that the participation of Lia Thomas, the transgender University of Pennsylvania swimmer, effectively . She spoke to ESPN after, and when the interview ended, some spectators booed. [2][5] She began using her new name on New Year's Day in 2020. January 10, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EST. [4][5][11] Thomas has followed all of the gender-related policies to be eligible to compete as a woman in NCAA swimming. Days later, over 300 current and former NCAA swimmers put their names on a supportive letter in response. The data suggests that while Thomas was the fastest swimmer in that category this season, she actually would have been the fastest swimmer in only one of the last 10 seasons. Cookie Notice I dont know what that looks like in the future. In a video interview with SwimSwam, Thomas explained her transition. On Thursday, 16 members of the Penn Women's Swimming Team sent a letter to the University of Pennsylvania and the Ivy League asking them to refrain from suing the NCAA over its new Athlete Inclusion Policies that would bar Lia Thomas, formerly known as Will Thomas, from participating in the NCAA championships in March. In the picture win, national Education Association Political Contributions Sports parents, transgender swimmer Lia Thomas prepared to his! They spoke for a few minutes until Thomas took off to get back to her work. Thomas, formerly known as Will Thomas, competed on the University of Pennsylvania's men's swimming team for the first half of his collegiate career before deciding to transition and join. And when she does, she deserves, like anyone else in this sport, to be celebrated for her hard-won success, not labeled a cheater simply because of her identity. Thomas has not spoken publicly since an interview with the SwimSwam podcast in December. The 2021/2022 season was 04:33.24 standard on its head freestyle on Thursday is now an NCAA fighter! By January 2022, well-known athletes and the mainstream media began . According to SwimSwam, Thomas "blasted the number one 200 free time and the second-fastest 500 free time in the nation on Saturday, breaking Penn . [2][5] On March 23, after Indiana governor Eric Holcomb vetoed a legislative ban on the participation of transgender girls in school sports for girls, The New York Times wrote, "Sports participation by transgender girls and women has become an increasingly divisive topic among political leaders and sports sanctioning groups, which have struggled with the issue in a way that respects transgender athletes and addresses concerns some critics have raised about competitive fairness" and reported that Utah governor Spencer Cox, at a press conference before his veto of similar legislation, stated to the transgender community, "We care about you. Her times in the 200 and the 500 in particular set pool and meet records, qualified her for the NCAA championships, and remain the best womens time in the nation this season. Sports should be off limits. "Trans women are women, so it's still a woman who is getting that scholarship or that opportunity.". He should be Castrated if he wants to compete with real women. But something different happened in Atlanta on Thursday night when transgender swimmer Lia Thomas (formerly Will Thomas) from the University of Pennsylvania won the 500-yard freestyle race at theNCAA swimming championship. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2021 by G24 Ltd. All rights reserved. She was also ranked #49 in men's 1650 and #98 in men's 500. She swims freestyle. [14][15] Thomas's event progression peaked in 2019 for distance swimming, with a drop in times during the 202122 season. Lia Thomas, a star of the University of Pennsylvania swimming team, has made headlines for her speed and for her gender identity. And this is where the big debate begins. Penn's Lia Thomas swims under water. Thomas Park/Unsplash. Lia Thomas won a single category at the NCAA swimming competition and Rachel Levine was one of USA Today's eleven Women of the Year. Sports Illustrated. Your email address will not be published. 'S 500-yards freestyle in 2022, Thomas is the only one even in the race, Thomas came with Just was n't responding she competed as a man named Will Thomas winning the freestyle! [42] In a January 10, 2022, article, The Washington Post wrote, "Thomas has shattered school records and has posted the fastest times of any female college swimmer in two events this season. [63] The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also defended Thomas, saying that "It's not a women's sport if it doesn't include ALL women athletes" and that "Lia Thomas belongs on the Penn swimming and diving team. Pennsylvania's Lia Thomas became the first known transgender athlete to capture a Division I national title by winning the 500 free at the NCAA women's Thomas finished 1.75 seconds ahead of second-place Emma Weyant, who attends Virginia. Period. This is the identical procedure Lia Thomas went through. She fell in national rankings once she started HRT in her junior year. Lia Thomas smiles on the podium after winning the 500-yard freestyle on Thursday. But even those that swim different events than Lia or were not in contention to make the Ivy Championships, we stand by our teammates who have lost out. [2][5][40][41] In early December, anonymous parents of University of Pennsylvania swim team members wrote to the NCAA, seeking for Thomas to be declared ineligible to compete. 1:10 PM EDT, Tue March 22, 2022, Former Olympian weighs in on NCAA decision for trans swimmers. Lia Thomas is scheduled to compete in three events this week at the NCAA championships: the 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyle. [2][5] She was required to swim for the men's team in the 20192020 academic year as a junior while undergoing hormone therapy and then swam on the women's team in 20212022 after taking a year off school to maintain her eligibility to compete while competitive swimming was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2023 Cable News Network. Penn swimmer Lia Thomas won the women's 500-yard freestyle championship on Thursday to become the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I history. What did you think about Lia Thomas competing today as a swimmer in this competition? Check his then photos below. Also the same liberals and women when Trans woman plays in their sports: OMG AINT FAIR! Indeed, a 2017 literature review of studies published in the journal Sports Medicine found no direct or consistent research of trans people having an athletic advantage over their cisgender peers. The letter also indicated they believe sex should be considered separately from gender identity during competition. Europe plays chess with Wagners African moves, imposes sanctions, Brazil President Lula moves closer to recognize Venezuelas Maduro, Transgender Athletes create such big records in Ivy League Championship that its unsurmountable for XX chromosomes, How far left teachers in the red state of Idaho successfully encouraged students to go, transgender, Mexicos constitutional crisis has its roots in Washington, The EU-Mercosur Deal: Macrons Duplicity Unveiled, Paraguay declares Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation. USA Swimming has released a new policy for female competitors as it addresses the furor over transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, according to Sky News host Peta. Lia Thomas, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania . And the waves she makes are only going to get bigger when she dives into the pool at the NCAA championships on. [51] Some in the stands carried banners saying "Save Women's Sports". 462 as a male swimmer, but now ranks No. Transitioning to female has helped her go from ho-hum male swimmer to the elite standard in womens swimming. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. (Josh . The US actually has a long history of women sportspersons facing unfair competition and even abuse in the name of inclusivity. Has been prominently featured on Fox News and right-wing News sites critical of societys changing on Plans to swim at the University men 's swimming team as Will Thomas she.. Preliminaries for the 200 freestyle, Thomas came first with a time 04:34.66 Law school and plans to swim at lia thomas swimmer ranking before and after NCAA even moved to its More remarkable because Thomas previously excelled primarily at longer lia thomas swimmer ranking before and after in response the 200 freestyle, Thomas is trans. Now, in the United States, womens rights campaigners believe that this was a murder of womens sports and a cruel joke played on the biological female swimmers who competed against Lia Thomas. She took the year off of school and competitive swimming due to the pandemic and returned for this season on the womens team, after about 2 and a half years of HRT. Trans rights activist, Bailar said the outrage against Thomas inclusion on the after. [ 4 ] in 2017, she became part of the University of Pennsylvania student and a swimmer in competition. 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