Transgender Swimmer Lia Thomas Loses Legal Battle, Barred from Olympics

Jun 12, 2024, 05:11 PM

Lia Thomas, the US swimmer and first transgender athlete to win an NCAA college title, has lost a legal case against World Aquatics at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This ruling bars her from competing in the upcoming Olympics. The legal battle centered on rules that prohibit transgender athletes who have experienced male puberty from participating in elite women's races. World Aquatics hailed the decision as a major step forward in efforts to protect women's sport. Thomas had argued that the rules were 'invalid and unlawful.' The ruling is seen as a fatal legal blow to her Olympic aspirations.