Calay News
Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has been the subject of controversy in the swimming world, especially after she showed great superiority over other female competitors in the Ivy League, a competition of universities in the northwest United States. This situation prompted complaints from teammates and associations and led the US swimming federation, USA Swimming, to establish stricter regulations for transgender athletes with elevated testosterone levels in women’s events. One of the swimmers who raised her voice against Lia Thomas’ participation was Riley Gaines, a 12-time collegiate champion who felt uncomfortable having to share a pool and even a locker room with her rival from Pennsylvania.
During the introduction of a bill in Virginia called “Equality in Women’s Sports,” Gaines made a strong case against Thomas’ participation in women’s events and against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), recalling what she and other teammates experienced competing against the transgender swimmer. Gaines explained that they were forced to compete against a biological male and that, although they finished tied in one event, the NCAA gave the trophy to Thomas, leaving Gaines without her well-deserved award. In addition, Gaines described how it was traumatic for the competitors to have to share a locker room with Thomas, who had not yet completed her physical transition and maintained her male genitalia.
Gaines argued that the integrity of women’s sports has been lost and that the NCAA’s inclusion policies are causing harm to female athletes. She asserted that many female athletes are losing opportunities or being traumatized or hurt by these policies. While inclusion is important, Gaines believes that policies must be put in place to protect the privacy and safety of female athletes.
