Controversy Ensues After Transgender Swimmer Lia Thomas Wins NCAA Championship

Penn’s Lia Thomas was able to swim in the women’s NCAA Championship this week.

The transgender swimmer dealt with protests and taunts on social media all week long. And in the end, she ended up winning the 500-yard freestyle on Thursday.

Penn’s Lia Thomas won the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships.

Thomas becomes the first known transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship in any sport.

Full story from @katie_barnes3: https://t.co/mYzU5uBDpS pic.twitter.com/zgmIEgKO5x

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 17, 2022

All over social media, people argued that Lia Thomas should not have been able to compete in the women’s championship.

Round of applause for Emma Weyant, the UVA swimmer who placed second in the 500y freestyle tonight, behind Lia Thomas. Second is the new first. #savewomenssports pic.twitter.com/NtHookm3qQ

— Angela Morabito (@AngelaLMorabito) March 18, 2022

After Watching Lia Thomas, Little Girl Adjusts Dreams To Just Winning Second Place At Olympics https://t.co/h4mRuvs5Y2

— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) March 15, 2022

Congrats to Virginia freshman Emma Weyant, the woman who would have won tonight’s NCAA title in the 500 meter if women’s sports were still sane. https://t.co/KYYKbIr8nt

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 18, 2022

Martina Navratilova says trans swimmer Lia Thomas should have an 'asterisk' next to her name https://t.co/GvPQl4LmZa pic.twitter.com/wx3hwDDgvo

— New York Post (@nypost) March 18, 2022

https://twitter.com/RapidFire_Pod/status/1504577845494005767

I’m a democrat & feminist. Every one of my IRL friends I’ve spoken to thinks Lia Thomas competing on womens team is unfair to women.

Almost none feel safe to share this opinion publicly because they will get attacked, possibly lose their jobs, and be threatened with violence.

— Holley (@bcscienceiscool) March 5, 2022

Lia Thomas spent 21 years of his life as a man.

He started competing against women in swimming this year and became a national champion.

Our daughter’s sports are not a plan B for failed male athletes.
pic.twitter.com/Lbtos3Ut6g

— American Principles 🇺🇸 (@approject) March 18, 2022

In a Sports Illustrated feature from two weeks ago, Lia Thomas shared her goals despite all the hate she has been receiving.

“I just want to show trans kids and younger trans athletes that they’re not alone,” she said. “They don’t have to choose between who they are and the sport they love.”

For now, it looks like Lia Thomas will continue to be allowed to compete with women. And the controversy will likely rage on in the meantime.

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