A debate over the fairness of transgender athletes competing against biological females has been sparked after Lia Thomas won an NCAA championship in the 500 free.
Thomas, a former Penn swimmer, became the first transgender woman to win an Ivy League championship and later an NCAA championship in the 500 free. The performance in the pool caused a national firestorm.
Riley Gaines, a 12-time All-American swimmer who competed at Kentucky, has been at the forefront of women’s sports, calling for fair treatment and keeping transgender women from competing against biological females at the highest level of competition. Gaines tied with Thomas at the NCAA championships last year and recently blasted ESPN for honoring Thomas in its “Celebrating Women’s History Month” segment.
“Lia Thomas is not a brave, courageous woman who EARNED a national title,” Gaines tweeted Sunday. “He is an arrogant, cheat who STOLE a national title from a hardworking, deserving woman. The @ncaa is responsible.”
ESPN didn’t immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Lia Thomas is not a brave, courageous woman who EARNED a national title. He is an arrogant, cheat who STOLE a national title from a hardworking, deserving woman. The @ncaa is responsible.
If I was a woman working at ESPN, I would walk out. You’re spineless @espn #boycottESPN https://t.co/DF3n5RWsmV
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) March 26, 2023
The segment brought up Thomas’ transition from male to female, her win at the NCAA Championships, and competing amid criticism from the swimming world.
“People will say, ‘Oh, she just transitioned so she would have an advantage so she could win.’ I transitioned to be happy,” Thomas says in the segment.
The NCAA has yet to develop specific guidelines for transgender athletes. However, the organization has stated that athletes who are transitioning must meet certain requirements in order to compete. These requirements include going through hormone therapy for two years prior to competing and having testosterone levels that are consistent with their gender identity.
The NCAA has also stated that it “supports the opportunity for transgender student-athletes to compete in college sports in a manner consistent with their gender identity.”
The debate over the fairness of transgender athletes competing against biological females is ongoing. Supporters of transgender athletes argue they should be allowed to compete in sports as their identified gender. In contrast, opponents argue that allowing transgender athletes to compete gives them an unfair advantage due to their biological makeup.
The NCAA has yet to develop specific guidelines for transgender athletes, but the organization has stated that it supports the opportunity for transgender student-athletes to compete in college sports. The debate over the fairness of transgender athletes competing against biological females is still ongoing, and it remains to be seen how the NCAA will handle this issue going forward.
