Controversial transgender swimmer Lia Thomas is taking secret legal action in a bid to overturn a ban on biological men competing alongside women – and hopes to take part in the Paris Olympic trials, according to reports.
Thomas, 24, has hired Canadian law firm Tyr to ask the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland to overturn rules imposed by World Aquatics after he became the first openly trans person to win an NCAA Division I title, the Telegraph reported.
She has not competed since 2022, when the World Aquatics introduced a rule banning anyone who has undergone “any part of male puberty” from the women’s category.
Before that, trans women were allowed to compete if they had lowered testosterone levels.
Tyr described his staff as “fearless advocates” who have been involved in “high-stakes and precedent-setting cases” – but those brought before CAS are controversially heard behind closed doors unless those involved agree to publicize them, according to the outlet.
Trans swimmer Lia Thomas, 24, has taken secret legal action in a bid to overturn a ban on biological men competing alongside women – and hopes to take part in the Paris Olympic trials. Penn Athletics
When Thomas took the case to the tribunal in September, World Aquatics applied to have it thrown out because he had not submitted himself to USA Swimming’s jurisdiction, the Telegraph reported.
A month before Thomas’ NCAA victory in March 2022, USA Swimming imposed stricter transgender rules, which stopped an outright ban but required regular monitoring of the athlete’s testosterone levels.
“It’s been a goal of mine to swim at the Olympic trials for a very long time, and I’d like to see it,” he told “Good Morning America” less than a month before World Aquatics introduces its own policy in June 2022.
Thomas’ case is unlikely to go to trial in time for him to qualify for this summer’s Olympics, according to the outlet.
Lia Thomas on the podium at the previous event. USA TODAY Sports University of Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas celebrates with her teammates after winning the 400-yard freestyle team at the WomenÃs Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships at Harvard University. Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
The deadline for entering the trial is June 4, but he needs to win the case several weeks early to give him a chance to hand over time in May that is good enough for him to enter the trial that begins June 15, the Times of London reported.
World Aquatics declined to comment on Thomas’ legal challenge.
Its executive director, Brent Nowicki, said in a statement to the Telegraph: “The World Aquatics Policy on gender inclusion, adopted by World Aquatics in June 2022, was carefully developed based on advice from leading medical and legal experts, and in careful consultation with athletes.
It is not known when Thomas transitioned from male to female. AP
“World Aquatics remains confident that its gender inclusion policy represents a fair approach and remains absolutely committed to protecting women’s sport,” it added.
It is not known when Thomas transitioned from male to female, but the swimmer competed as a male as recently as November 2019
He always denied the transition to success.
“The biggest misconception, I think, is why I switched,” he said in 2022. “People will say, ‘Oh, he just switched so he has an advantage, so he can win.’ I changed to be happy, to be true to myself.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
