Major Controversies Surrounding Lia Thomas: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Lia Thomas—discover key moments of controversy.

Lia Thomas is an American swimmer who gained national attention as the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, winning the 500-yard freestyle in 2022. Her participation in women's swimming sparked considerable debate surrounding transgender women's inclusion in women's sports. Subsequently, she was barred from competing in women's events by World Aquatics. Thomas's career has become central to discussions about fairness, inclusion, and the evolving landscape of sports regulations concerning transgender athletes.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

December 2021: Cynthia Millen Resigns from USA Swimming

In December 2021, USA Swimming official Cynthia Millen resigned after 30 years in protest against Lia Thomas's eligibility to compete.

December 2021: Parents Seek NCAA Ineligibility Ruling

In early December 2021, anonymous parents of University of Pennsylvania swim team members wrote to the NCAA, seeking for Lia Thomas to be declared ineligible to compete.

January 10, 2022: Washington Post Article

On January 10, 2022, The Washington Post published an article discussing Lia Thomas's record-breaking performances and her potential to be a favorite at the NCAA championships, while also noting the ongoing debate surrounding her participation.

February 2022: Levinson Describes Thomas

In February 2022, CNN's Levinson described Lia Thomas as "the face of the debate on transgender women in sports".

February 2022: Campaign Advertisement Featuring Thomas

In February 2022, Vicky Hartzler, a Republican Senate candidate in Missouri, featured Lia Thomas in a campaign advertisement. The advertisement was described as transphobic.

February 2022: Anonymous Letter from UPenn Swimmers

In February 2022, sixteen anonymous members of the University of Pennsylvania women's swimming team sent a letter to university and Ivy League officials asking them not to take legal action against a proposed NCAA transgender athlete policy. A separate group of swimmers supported Lia.

March 2022: Sports Illustrated Denotes Thomas

In March 2022, Sports Illustrated denoted Lia Thomas as "the most controversial athlete in America".

June 2022: States Prohibit Transgender Girls in Sports

As of June 2022, several states including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia have laws prohibiting public schools from allowing the participation of transgender girls in school sports for girls.

June 2022: FINA Votes to Bar Transgender Athletes

In June 2022, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) voted to bar transgender athletes from competing in professional women's swimming under certain conditions, preventing Lia Thomas from competing in the 2024 United States Olympic trials. In response to the decision, Thomas expressed her disappointment, calling the new FINA release discriminatory.

2022: Wins NCAA Championship

In 2022, Lia Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, winning the women's 500-yard freestyle event. Later in 2022, she was barred from competing in women's events by World Aquatics.

2022: Introduction of World Aquatics Gender Inclusion Policy

In 2022, World Aquatics introduced its gender inclusion policy, stipulating that trans women can compete in the women's category if any male puberty was halted by age 12 or Tanner Stage 2.

January 2024: Legal Challenge to World Aquatics Gender Inclusion Policy

In January 2024, Lia Thomas initiated a legal challenge against the World Aquatics gender inclusion policy, arguing that the policy is discriminatory towards transgender women.

June 2024: Court of Arbitration Ruling

In June 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Lia Thomas lacked the standing to challenge the World Aquatics gender inclusion policy, thus maintaining her ineligibility to compete under the existing rules.