In a highly controversial move, the NCAA has officially stripped Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer from the University of Pennsylvania, of her swimming title and all related medals. This decision follows mounting pressure from external groups advocating for reassessing Thomas’s participation in women’s collegiate swimming due to her transgender identity.
Lia Thomas made history in 2022 by becoming the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship in an individual event. However, her victory sparked intense debate about fairness in women’s sports. Critics argued that she held a physical advantage over cisgender women due to factors such as muscle mass and cardiovascular capacity.
The NCAA announced the revocation of Thomas’s title after intensive consultations with various governing bodies and advocacy groups. They cited concerns over maintaining a “level playing field” for all competitors, particularly cisgender women.
This ruling means that all of Thomas’s records will be erased from official history books, and awards will be reassigned. Riley Gaines, who finished second to Thomas at the 2022 championships, will now receive the gold medal and title.
