The controversy surrounding Lia Thomas is examined by Outside the Lines. (3:38)
Lia Thomas, a swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, wants to compete in the Olympics in the year 2024.
I don't know what the future of my swimming will look like after this year, but I would love to continue doing it.
The debate about who gets to compete and win in women's sports has been sparked by Thomas, who set the nation's best times in the 200 and 500 earlier this season. Thomas spent three seasons on the men's team at Penn.
The very simple answer is that I am not a man. I belong on the women's team because I'm a woman.
Thomas will compete in the 100, 200 and 500-yard freestyle events at the NCAA Women's Division I Swimming and Diving Championships. The NCAA said that Thomas would be able to compete in the women's championship in Atlanta because she was in compliance with the previous NCAA rules and had submitted a one-time level that proved her testosterone is under 10 nanomoles per liter.
Thomas wants to show trans kids and younger trans athletes that they are not alone.
In the future, that could include representing the U.S. in international competition.
Thomas would be allowed to represent the United States in the women's category if she continued to meet criteria, according to officials from USA Swimming.
Thomas told Sports Illustrated that he has been rejuvenated after 17 years in the water. I could see a future after coming out and being my authentic self. I couldn't see a future before I came out.
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