Lia Thomas, the transgender swimmer who gained national attention after winning a 2022 NCAA Division I individual title, has lost her legal challenge against rules preventing her from competing at a higher level.
A panel of three judges from the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed the 25-year-old’s request for arbitration with the World Aquatics governing body.
In January, Thomas filed legal paperwork against World Aquatics regarding its policy, implemented several months after her title win, that restricts transgender athletes who have experienced male puberty from competing in elite women’s competitions.
While banning transgender athletes from competing against women, World Aquatics created an “open” category for transgender athletes to compete.
On Wednesday, the panel determined that Thomas did not have standing to challenge the federation’s policy.
They stated that since “for the time being” she is not eligible to compete in events through World Aquatics or USA Swimming, the policy is not applicable.
“She is currently only entitled to compete in USA Swimming events that do not qualify as ‘Elite Events.’”
The ruling comes days before the U.S. Olympic swimming trials are set to begin.
Through a statement provided by her legal team, Thomas expressed her disappointment.
“Blanket bans preventing trans women from competing are discriminatory and deprive us of valuable athletic opportunities that are central to our identities. The CAS decision should be seen as a call to action to all trans women athletes to continue to fight for our dignity and human rights.”
