Will Trans Athletes Help Advance Women's Sports or Create Unfair Competition?
Lia Thomas' NCAA championship performance gives women sports a crucial opportunity
On Saturday, University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas placed last in the 100-yard freestyle swim during the NCAA championships, ending her career in collegiate swimming. A last-place showing at an NCAA swim meet, even a championship one, would not typically garner national headlines. Yet, Thomas has been at the center of controversy regarding her eligibility to compete in women's events.
In sports, what’s fair for transgender athletes and their competitors?
At a recent Ivy League swim meet, spectators were split over which side of the pool to look at.
Physics, independent of biological reality, explains why Lia Thomas's victory over women is rigged
For all the think pieces and Twitter tirades penned over the transgender athlete debate, in the end, it really was a picture that said the definitive thousand words. After winning the NCAA 500-yard freestyle by just shy of two seconds, transgender Penn student Lia Thomas stood victorious next to the two girls relegated to second and third place.
In the picture, Lia carries the trophy. Lia stands atop the highest podium. And next to second-place winner Emma Weyant and third place Erica Sullivan, Lia's body is clearly not that of a biological woman.