Thomas received harsh criticism for his dominating results in the pool even though he complied with the NCAA’s eligibility criteria, particularly those pertaining to hormone treatment.
Even after hormone treatment, a number of players, coaches, and sports experts contended that Thomas had an unfair edge due to biological disparities.
Advocates for transgender inclusion, on the other hand, stressed that Thomas complied with all NCAA regulations and should have been allowed to participate like any other athlete.
Riley Gaines, a talented swimmer from the University of Kentucky, was among the most outspoken detractors. Gaines maintained that.
The credibility of women’s sports was jeopardized by NCAA restrictions. She notably tied with Lia Thomas in the 200-meter freestyle.
In the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championships, which sparked more discussion on whether transgender athletes should be permitted to participate in female divisions.
