Swimmer Lia Thomas says trans sports ban 'a gut punch'

Swimmer Lia Thomas says trans sports ban 'a gut punch'

Lia Thomas has described policies that ban trans athletes from competitive sports as “a gut punch”. The trans swimmer was commenting on World Aquatics’ decision to effectively bar trans women from the women’s category. The governing body, formerly known as FINA, adopted a policy in 2022 which decreed that transgender women who wanted to compete in events must “have not experienced any part of male puberty beyond tanner stage two, or before [the]…

Lia Thomas calls trans sports ban ‘a gut punch’

Trailblazing swimmer Lia Thomas, who made history in 2022 as the first openly trans athlete to win an NCAA Division I title, has condemned recent bans on trans athletes in competitive sport, describing them as a “gut punch” that continues to weigh heavily on her. Speaking candidly in a recent interview with WHYY, Thomas reflected on the emotional toll of being excluded from the sport she loves, following a series of rulings and policies that hav…

Lia Thomas Calls Trans Sports Ban ‘A Gut Punch’ Amid Ongoing Fight for Inclusion

Trans swimmer Lia Thomas has described World Aquatics’ trans athlete ban as “a gut punch”, saying she still grieves being unable to compete. Despite setbacks, she stands firm in her identity and advocacy.