A sports authority has announced that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected the appeal made by former US swimmer Donna de Varona, which challenged the Olympic qualification of University of Pennsylvania swimmer, Lia Thomas.
Thomas, who is a transgender woman, has been at the center of ongoing debates concerning her eligibility to participate in women’s swimming competitions due to her strong performances at the NCAA championships. De Varona, who has earned two Olympic gold medals and set world records in her time, contended that allowing Thomas to compete in women’s events might undermine the fairness and integrity of women’s sports.
Nevertheless, the CAS delivered a decision supporting Thomas, confirming that she adheres to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s established parameters for transgender athletes’ participation. According to the IOC, transgender women can compete in women’s categories if they have undergone at least one year of hormone treatment and their testosterone levels are below a specified limit.
Having started hormone therapy back in 2019, Thomas has consistently asserted her compliance with the IOC’s stipulations and voiced her belief that she is entitled to compete in the Olympics on equal grounds with other competitors. She also mentioned her desire to motivate and embolden more transgender athletes to strive for achievement and challenge the status quo in athletic contexts.
The CAS’s verdict has elicited diverse reactions within the athletic community. Some commend Thomas for her determination and bravery, while others call into question the IOC’s rules, suggesting that more stringent measures should be enacted for transgender athletes.
Amidst the ongoing debates, Thomas remains dedicated to her Olympic preparations, hoping to represent the United States in the women’s 500-meter freestyle. Grateful for the CAS’s ruling in her favor, she is eager to compete fairly against her fellow women athletes.
