Lia Thomas Loses Legal Challenge Against World Aquatics’ Transgender Participation Policy
Lia Thomas, the swimmer who made headlines in 2022 by becoming the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, has lost a legal battle against World Aquatics over eligibility to compete in the women’s category.
The international governing body of swimming, formerly known as FINA, implemented a policy in mid-2022 that prohibits athletes who have undergone “any part of male puberty” from competing in women’s elite competitions. Thomas challenged this rule, claiming it was “invalid and unlawful,” but the court sided with World Aquatics.
In its ruling, the panel stated that Thomas was ineligible to compete in World Aquatics (WA) events due to her current status: she is no longer a member of USA Swimming and has not met the required registration or performance criteria. “The current situation simply does not meet the political and operational requirements,” the panel concluded, according to WA’s media office.
World Aquatics praised the decision, calling it “a major step forward in our efforts to protect women’s sport.” The organization also reiterated its support for inclusivity by noting the introduction of an “open” category for transgender athletes. Although this category debuted at the 2023 World Cup in Berlin, it did not receive any entries.
“World Aquatics is committed to creating an environment that promotes equality, respect, and equal opportunities for athletes of all genders, and we reaffirm this commitment,” the organization stated, as reported by The Guardian.
Thomas, 25, competed for the University of Pennsylvania and rose to prominence during the 2021–2022 NCAA season. Prior to transitioning, she competed on the men’s team where she posted average results. Her success in the women’s category reignited debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in elite women’s sports.
Despite past aspirations to compete in the Olympics, Thomas will not be eligible to participate in the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials, set to begin June 15 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
This ruling marks a significant moment in the evolving discussion around gender identity and competitive fairness in sports. While World Aquatics’ current policies exclude Thomas from women’s elite events, the debate surrounding transgender participation continues to shape the future of athletic competition on a global scale.