Trans swimmer Lia Thomas, 22, blows away competition to win 500 yard freestyle at NCAA championships – but crowd goes wild for SECOND place winner on podium: Thomas says she ‘ignores’ criticism in post-victory interview
‘It means the world to be here, to be with two of my best friend and teammates and be able to compete.’
Thomas, whose continued wins and record-breaking performances have made her the world’s most controversial athlete, also roundly defeated fellow swimmers at last month’s Ivy League championships.
The Texan, who swam for three years on the university’s men’s team before transitioning in 2019, is now the first transgender athlete to win a NCAA championship – a distinction one of Thomas’ teammates said would be dubious if achieved.
