The Lia Thomas Controversy: A Divisive Journey
In the women’s 500-yard freestyle, Lia Thomas of the University of Pennsylvania became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship in 2022.
Although the win was widely criticized, some saw it as a turning point for transgender inclusion in sports.
Thomas’s biological characteristics, which were formed before to transitioning, were criticized for giving him an unfair competitive advantage in women’s competitions.
