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 significant debate about the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports, particularly regarding fairness and competitive balance. Following policy changes by World Aquatics, Thomas became ineligible to compete in women's events. Her career has been at the forefront of discussions concerning transgender athletes and sports regulations.

Sections (4)

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

December 2021: Parents Seek Ineligibility Declaration

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 2022: Finishes Sixth in Race Against Yale

In January 2022, at a meet against Yale, Lia Thomas finished in 6th place in the 100m freestyle race, losing to four cisgender women and a transgender man.

February 2022: Described as Face of Debate

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

February 2022: Featured in Campaign Ad

In February 2022, Vicky Hartzler, a Republican Senate candidate in Missouri, featured Lia Thomas in a campaign advertisement with transphobic rhetoric.

February 2022: Letter to University and Ivy League Officials

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 that could prevent Thomas from competing in the NCAA championships.

March 2022: Denoted as Most Controversial Athlete

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

May 2022: Defends Herself in Interview

In May 2022, during an interview with Good Morning America, Lia Thomas defended herself from criticism and expressed her intention to continue swimming and to compete at the Olympic trials.

June 2022: States Prohibit Transgender Athletes

As of June 2022, several states have laws prohibiting public schools from allowing the participation of transgender girls in school sports for girls.

June 2022: FINA Bars Transgender Athletes

In June 2022, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) voted to bar transgender athletes from competing in professional women's swimming, preventing Lia Thomas from competing in the 2024 Olympic trials.

2022: Wins NCAA Championship

In 2022, Lia Thomas won the women's 500-yard freestyle event at the NCAA Division I National Championship, becoming the first openly transgender athlete to achieve this. Later in 2022, she was barred from competing in women's events by World Aquatics.

January 2024: Legal Challenge to World Aquatics Policy

In January 2024, Lia Thomas opened a legal challenge to the World Aquatics gender inclusion policy, arguing that it is discriminatory.

June 2024: Court Rules Against Thomas

In June 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Lia Thomas did not have standing to challenge the World Aquatics gender inclusion policy, meaning she would remain ineligible to compete.

2024: Prevented from Olympic Trials

In June 2022, the FINA decision to bar transgender athletes from competition effectively prevented Lia Thomas from competing in the 2024 United States Olympic trials as she had planned.