Penn's Lia Thomas responds to those who say she should not swim on women’s team

The controversy around Lia Thomas at the University of Pennsylvania has led to numerous polarizing debates, but the swimmer strongly believes she is competing for the right team.

Thomas was born male but transitioned to female, and she has been dominating in women’s swimming at Penn. She has been allowed to swim on the women’s team because she has been taking testosterone suppressants for over a year. However, the NCAA changed part of its policy last month in the wake of backlash. Now, transgender participation for each specific sport is determined by that sport’s national governing body. Decisions are then to be reviewed by the NCAA’s board of governors.

USA Swimming will now determine eligibility for Thomas and athletes like her. The organization recently updated its policy and said it “acknowledges a competitive difference in the male and female categories and the disadvantages this presents in elite head-to-head competition.” Thomas spoke about that in an interview with Robert Sanchez of Sports Illustrated that was published on Thursday.

“The very simple answer is that I’m not a man,” Thomas said. “I’m a woman, so I belong on the women’s team. Trans people deserve that same respect every other athlete gets.”

Many others feel the situation is more complicated. Olympic legend Michael Phelps indicated that he does not agree with Thomas being allowed to swim on the women’s team. Caitlyn Jenner, who is transgender and an Olympic gold medalist, offered a similar take.

Thomas has been competing on the women’s team at Penn after swimming for the men’s team the previous three years. She last swam on the men’s team as Will Thomas in 2019 and was a second-team all-conference swimmer. Members of the Penn women’s swimming have indicated they are not happy with Thomas being allowed to compete.