Early Life and Education of Lia Thomas: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Lia Thomas, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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

May 1999: Lia Thomas Born

In May 1999, Lia Catherine Thomas was born. She is an American swimmer and the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship.

Others born on this day/year

2017: Began Swimming on Men's Team at UPenn

In 2017, Lia Thomas began swimming on the men's team at the University of Pennsylvania and recorded the sixth-fastest national men's time in the 1,000-yard freestyle.

2017: Started Attending the University of Pennsylvania

In 2017, Lia Thomas started attending the University of Pennsylvania.

2018: Continued Swimming on Men's Team at UPenn

In 2018, Lia Thomas continued on the men's swim team at the University of Pennsylvania.

2018: Came Out as Transgender to Family

In the summer of 2018, after her freshman year at college, Lia Thomas came out as transgender to her family.

May 2019: Began Hormone Replacement Therapy

In May 2019, Lia Thomas began transitioning and started hormone replacement therapy.

2019: Finished Second at Ivy League Championships

In 2019, as a sophomore, Lia Thomas finished second in the men's 500, 1,000, and 1,650-yard freestyle at the Ivy League championships while competing on the men's swim team at the University of Pennsylvania.

2020: Swam on Men's Team

During the 2019–2020 academic year, Lia Thomas was required to swim for the men's team as a junior while undergoing hormone therapy.

2021: Met NCAA Hormone Therapy Requirements

By 2021, Lia Thomas had met the NCAA hormone therapy requirements to swim on the women's team.

March 2022: Last College Swimming Event

The March 2022 NCAA championship was Lia Thomas's last college swimming event.

May 2022: Defended Herself and Expressed Intent to Keep Swimming

In a May 2022 interview with Good Morning America, Lia Thomas defended herself from criticism and stated her intention to keep swimming and to compete at the Olympic trials.

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: Swam on Women's Team

In 2021–2022, Lia Thomas swam on the women's team after taking a year off school to maintain her eligibility to compete while competitive swimming was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022: Graduated from the University of Pennsylvania

In 2022, Lia Thomas graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, with plans to attend law school.

2022: World Aquatics gender inclusion policy introduced

In 2022, World Aquatics introduced a 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.