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 notable for being the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, securing victory in the women's 500-yard freestyle in 2022. Subsequently, she was barred from women's events by World Aquatics. Thomas's athletic career has become central to the ongoing public discussion and debate surrounding the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports.

Sections (4)

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

December 2021: USA Swimming Official Resigned in Protest

In December 2021, USA Swimming official Cynthia Millen resigned after 30 years in protest against Lia Thomas's eligibility to compete and then she appeared to express her views on the Fox News show The Ingraham Angle.

January 10, 2022: The Washington Post Article

On January 10, 2022, The Washington Post wrote, "Thomas has shattered school records and has posted the fastest times of any female college swimmer in two events this season. She'll probably be a favorite at the NCAA championships in March, even as people inside and outside the sport debate her place on the pool deck."

January 2022: Statements of Support Issued

In January 2022, the University of Pennsylvania, multiple organizations affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and the Ivy League issued statements supporting Lia Thomas.

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: Campaign Ad Featuring Thomas

In February 2022, Vicky Hartzler, a Republican Senate candidate in Missouri, featured Lia Thomas in a campaign advertisement asserting that "Women's sports are for women, not men pretending to be women".

February 2022: Letters Sent Regarding NCAA Policy

In February 2022, in response to a proposed NCAA transgender athlete policy, sixteen anonymous members of the University of Pennsylvania women's swimming team sent a letter asking officials not to take legal action against the proposal, while another group made a statement supporting her. A letter in response, organized by Schuyler Bailar and signed by more than 300 current and former collegiate swimmers, stated their support for Lia Thomas, and all transgender college athletes.

March 2022: Won NCAA Division I National Championship

In March 2022, Lia Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship in any sport after winning the women's 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:33.24; Olympic silver medalist Emma Weyant was second.

March 2022: Designated as Most Controversial Athlete

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

June 2022: Laws Prohibiting Transgender Girls in Sports

As of June 2022, multiple 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 Voted to Bar 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 women's competition at the 2024 United States Olympic trials as she had planned.

2022: Wins NCAA Division I National Championship

In 2022, Lia Thomas won the women's 500-yard freestyle event, becoming the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, before being barred from competing in women's events by World Aquatics.

2022: Transgender Rights Dominating Outrage

In 2022, after the vetoes by Holcomb and Cox, as well as the win by Lia Thomas at the NCAA championship, "Transgender rights are dominating outrage on the right". The National Women's Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) defended Thomas.

January 2024: Thomas opens legal challenge to World Aquatics gender inclusion policy

In January 2024, Lia Thomas initiated a legal challenge against the World Aquatics gender inclusion policy, claiming it was discriminatory.

June 2024: Court of Arbitration for Sport rules Thomas ineligible to challenge policy

In June 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport determined that Lia Thomas lacked the standing to challenge the World Aquatics gender inclusion policy, thus confirming her ineligibility to compete.

2024: FINA Voted to Bar Transgender Athletes

March 2025: Trump Administration Stripped Funding from UPenn

In March 2025, the Trump administration stripped away $175 million dollars of federal funding from UPenn over their allowing Lia Thomas to swim as a woman.

July 2025: UPenn Agreement to Bar Transgender Athletes

In July 2025, it was reported that UPenn made an agreement with the federal government to bar transgender athletes from competing on female sports teams and to "erase all records and awards belonging to Thomas."