Lia Thomas is an American swimmer who gained national attention as the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship. Born in May 1999, she competed for the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s swimming team during the 2021-2022 season. In March 2022, Thomas secured the national title in the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships.
Her participation sparked widespread debate regarding transgender women in women’s sports. In response to her involvement, the Trump administration suspended approximately $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania, citing concerns over Title IX compliance.
Additionally, three former teammates filed a lawsuit challenging Thomas’s records and alleging emotional distress.
Internationally, World Aquatics ruled that only athletes who transitioned before the age of 12 could compete in women’s categories, effectively barring Thomas from future women’s competitions.
These developments have intensified discussions on policies governing transgender athletes’ participation in sports.