Lia Thomas of Penn won the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA women's swimming and diving championships. (0:48)
Lia Thomas is a national champion.
Thomas, who is a trans woman, became the first known athlete to win a Division I national championship in any sport when she touched the wall in 4 minutes, 33.24 seconds in the 500-yard freestyle.
Thomas finished 1.75 seconds ahead of Emma Weyant. Her time was a career best and a little more than 9 seconds off of the record.
The race began with the crowd cheering for each of the swimmers, but fans were quiet for the introduction of Thomas. Save Women's Sports founder Beth Stelzer draped a vinyl banner with the organization's slogan over the railing.
The Penn senior pulled away to win her first championship after being challenged by Brooke Forde,Erica Sullivan and Weyant.
Thomas said in an interview after the race that it means the world to be here.
The NCAA requires Thomas to attend a post race news conference.
She flashed a peace sign when she stood on the podium with her trophy. The crowd was noticeably quiet as she was announced as the champion.
It is a symbol of Lia's resilience, according to Schuyler Bailar, the first known trans man to compete on a Division I men's team. It is a symbol that we can both be who we are and do what we love.
After posting the nation's top times in the 200 and 500 freestyle events in December, Thomas gained national attention. Her success in the pool was praised and critiqued. There was a lot of criticism in Atlanta.
There were dueling protests outside of the McAuley Center. More than 20 protesters from Save Women's Sports and Young Women for America chanted outside, protesting Thomas' inclusion in the women's category.
The author of the bill was Barbara Ehardt. The first law to restrict the ability of athletes to play sports in accordance with their gender identity was the one in the 500s. It was blocked in federal court.
The national director for Young Women for America said that they would not allow women to be displaced.
The University of Pennsylvania was the subject of a Title IX complaint. Penn is accused of violating Title IX by allowing Thomas to compete.
The future of women's sports is at risk and the equal rights of female athletes are being violated, according to the CWA president and CEO.
This is not the first Title IX complaint CWA has filed. CWA filed a Title IX complaint with the Office for Civil Rights after Cece Telfer won a Division II national championship in the 400m hurdles. The school was forced to change its policy after it was found that it violated Title IX. The Department of Education has yet to respond to the complaint.
Georgia Tech graduate and undergraduate students were among the counter protesters on the other side of the street.
Georgia Tech Grad Pride president Naiki Kaffezakis said that they were bringing off-campus hate onto the campus.
A counterprotester who wanted to be known only by her first name supported Thomas.
I am rooting for her. Em said he was happy for her. Get them.
Thomas will also be swimming the 200 and 100 freestyle events.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
