What records does transgender swimmer Lia Thomas hold in the NCAA Swimming Championship?
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Lia Thomas
The NCAA swimming championships ended in quite the controversy as transgender athlete Lia Thomas took home the gold medal in the women’s 500 yard freestyle event. She also swam in two other championship finals, and none garnered any support from the audience.
The incident has now become on of the biggest issues regarding transgender athletes is sports, and has garnered the attention several individuals. Thomas was denounced by many, including former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner as well as Florida governor Ron DeSantis. Members of the swimming community are not pleased either, as many continue to write letters about the controversial inclusion of Thomas, citing an unfair advantage because she is transgender.
All records that Lia Thomas holds
The first record that Lia Thomas holds is the 500-yard freestyle, in which she set a pool record of 4:37.32s, becoming the eighth Penn State swimmer to win that race. She jam set a meet and pool record in the 200-yard freestyle event, setting a time of 1:43.12s. She finished the 100-yard freestyle in 47.63s, where she set meet, pool and Penn records. Thomas does not hold any records from the time she competed as a man.
She also took part in the 400-yard freestyle relay, setting pool and Penn records by completing the race in 3:17.80. Thomas’ inclusion into these records however, has caused quite a bit of controversy in the field, as several fellow athletes are not content with the her swimming in the races being a transgender athlete.
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Saivee Phatak
(1164 Articles Published)