UPenn trans swimmer sparks outrage by SMASHING women’s competition records after competing as a man for three seasons
Lia Thomas recently competed in women’s swimming event on November 20
She has been breaking records while competing with University of Pennsylvania
Lia had previously competed for the university’s men’s team for three years
Some have voiced their anger at her swimming success, claiming it to be ‘unfair’
NCAA rules dictate any trans female athlete may take part in women’s events if they have completed a year of testosterone suppression treatment
By ALYSSA GUZMAN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and SAM BAKER FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:09 GMT, 2 December 2021 | UPDATED: 17:03 GMT, 2 December 2021
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A trans swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, who previously spent three years competing in men’s competitions, is now breaking records in women’s events and it has sparked controversy surrounding transgender athletes.
Lia Thomas, formerly named Will, has competed in a number of events recently, including a tri-meet with Cornell and Princeton universities on November 20 where the senior ‘blasted’ the University of Pennsylvania records in the 200m and 500m freestyle - posting times that beat almost any other female swimmers across America.
And with a time of 1:43:47 in the 200m freestyle, Thomas would have been in line to secure a silver medal at the NCAA Women’s Championships, while her 4:35:06 in the 500m freestyle would have been good enough to win bronze.
This is the latest controversy in the ongoing argument over whether trans people should be allowed to compete in sports alongside athletes of the opposite gender than they were assigned at birth.
It is unknown when Thomas began transitioning, but NCAA rules state she had to have completed one year of testosterone suppression treatment in order to compete.
Lia’s success at the event held last weekend has reignited the debate, as she was a key component in her team’s success in the 400 free relay, and she swept the board when it came to 100m, 200m and 500m free individual events.
Several people have voiced their anger over Thomas’ recent success in the women’s events.
Sport performance coach Linda Blade responded to Thomas’ most recent event by saying: 'Well of course women’s records are being smashed! Lia competed as male for first three years in #NCAA. This is not right!
‘We need to return to #SexBasedSports! #SexNotGender to preserve fairness for female athletes.’
Big up to Miss Lisa
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