The transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who shot to national prominence after winning the NCAA Division I individual title in 2022, has lost her legal battle against the regulations that prevent her from swimming at a higher level.
The athlete, 25, requested arbitration with the World Aquatics governing organisation, but his plea was denied by a panel of three judges from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The current World Aquatics regulation, which was implemented some months after Thomas won her title, prohibits transgender athletes who had previously gone through male puberty from competing in elite women’s competitions.
Thomas submitted the required legal documentation against the organisation in January.
World Aquatics introduced a “open” category where transgender athletes could compete, although they were prohibited from competing against women.
A group of judges decided on Wednesday that Thomas lacked the authority to contest the federation’s policy.
They said the policy does not apply because she is ineligible to compete in events through World Aquatics or USA Swimming “for the time being.”
“She is currently only entitled to compete in USA Swimming events that do not qualify as ‘Elite Events.’”
Days before the U.S. Olympic swimming trials are scheduled to start, the decision was made.
Thomas conveyed her displeasure in a statement issued by her legal counsel.
“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.”
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