Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has been barred from competing in elite women's races, including the 2024 Olympics, following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The decision, announced shortly before the US Olympic swimming trials, stems from Thomas' lawsuit against World Aquatics, the governing body for swimming, based in Switzerland.
Thomas challenged a policy enacted by World Aquatics that restricts male-to-female transgender athletes from participating in women's categories unless they transition before age 12 or before reaching stage 2 of the puberty Tanner Stages. CAS ruled that Thomas, 25, lacks standing to challenge this policy, effectively preventing her from competing in international elite events.
Thomas gained national attention in 2022 when she became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title, securing victory in the women’s 500-yard freestyle event. However, World Aquatics updated its gender policy in 2023, creating an open category for "all sex and gender identities," which Thomas can participate in but not in traditional women’s events.
World Aquatics hailed the decision as a significant step towards protecting women’s sports, emphasizing their commitment to fairness and equal opportunities. The US Olympic swimming trials will proceed as scheduled, starting Saturday.