In a seismic shift in the world of competitive swimming, Lia Thomas, the transgender athlete who was announced to be a Division I NCAA women’s champion in 2022, has been banned from competing in the women’s category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The decision, announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in conjunction with World Aquatics, requires Thomas to compete in the men’s category under the eligibility criteria set by transgender athletes. The move has sparked a heated debate, with the reaction from male athletes, combining an unexpected race with a divisive controversy, has left Thomas and his supporters speechless.
The COI decision stems from a 2025 amendment to the pautas law, which requires transgender women to maintain testosterone levels that meet a specific protection range for the last four years before competing, among other criteria. World Aquatics, the international governing body of swimming, has been subject to more stringent policies since the 2023 amendment, citing concerns about fairness and competitive balance. Thomas, who transitioned in 2019 and competed in existing women’s events that no longer meet these strict requirements, was removed from the women’s roster. Thomas, now 26, expressed deep disappointment in a statement to ESPN, calling the decision “unfortunate for participation.” She argued that politics ignores the lived experiences of transgender athletes and their decision to compete authentically. “He was indefinitely inducted to be his estoy, and he’s like a castigo because he is,” Thomas said. Her legal team is reportedly exploring options for prosecuting the case, potentially through the Court of Arbitration for Sport, although the COI tribunal has handled similar cases. The ruling has been fueled by debates based on the intersection of the general’s identity, the knowledge and equality of those expelled, and the opinions of many.
What surprised Thomas and his followers even more, however, was the different reactions from male athletes, who were able to participate more fully in the competition. Many prominent male swimmers, including Olympic medalists Caeleb Dressel and Ryan Murphy, publicly supported the COI’s decision, responding to the need for clear boundaries in elite competition. Dressel, a former Olympic gold medalist, stated at a company conference: “The rules are there to ensure fairness. No, it’s personal; it’s about the integrity of the sport.” Murphy acknowledged this sentiment, suggesting that physical differences, even post-transition, can affect high-level swimming performance. These comments, some doctors say, were based on some views of Thomas’s identity and background. On the other hand, other male athletes have expressed sympathy for Thomas, downplaying the complexity of the issue. Hunter Armstrong, a US-based espalda expert, has turned to this publication, which I find very much to my liking, reflecting a growing feeling among our athletes that the binary categorization of those expelled is irrelevant to issues of transsexual participation. Discussions of sober bias
The drop has more implications for the 2028 Olympics, where Thomas’ presence in the men’s category could reshape the dynamics of the event. His better form in the 500-yard freestyle (4:33.24) over several NCAA days, but the move to men’s swimming events, where the games are significantly faster, has been a major disappointment. In this context, the 2024 Olympic Games’ 400-meter freestyle finish in 3:41, which eliminated the competitor Thomas violated, has analysts suggesting they may need to reconsider their ability to adapt, a prospect Thomas has not publicly addressed.
As the 2028 Olympics loom, the controversies Thomas has endured have led to the game continuing to balance inclusion and fairness in competition. While the reaction of some male athletes was unexpected for Thomas, his French, or lack of a simple dialogue to find a fairer solution. The swimming world has observed this, not only Thomas’ close movement, but also
