University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, wants to continue competing after her college career, with her sights set on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, reports Sports Illustrated.
“I don’t know exactly what my future in swimming will look like after this year, but I would like to continue doing it,” Thomas told Sports Illustrated in an article published Thursday. “I want to swim and compete as the person I am. »
Thomas, who posted the nation’s best times in the 200m (1:41.93) and 500m (4:34.06) earlier this season, has been at the heart of a debate over who can compete, and win , in women’s sports. Prior to being a member of the women’s team, Thomas spent three seasons on the men’s team at the University of Pennsylvania.
“The simplest answer is that I am not a man. I’m a woman, so my place is in the women’s team,” Thomas told IF. “Transgender people deserve the same respect as all other athletes. »
Thomas, who has applied to law school, will compete in the NCAA (Women’s Division I) swimming and diving championships in the 100, 200 and 500 meter freestyle events. The NCAA announced on February 10 that Thomas could compete in the women’s championships, which take place March 16-18 in Atlanta, by complying with previous NCAA rules and after submitting a single serum level proving that her testosterone is less than 10 nanomoles per litre.
“I just want to show trans kids and young trans athletes that they’re not alone,” Thomas told IF. “They don’t have to choose between who they are and the sport they love. »
And that includes competing in bigger events in the future, maybe even representing the United States in international competitions.
USA Swimming officials told Sports Illustrated that they would have no problem with Thomas representing the United States in the women’s category, as long as she continues to meet the entry criteria.
