Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas attempted to challenge rules from World Aquatics that effectively banned transgender women from competing in elite women’s events throughout the world. But in a horrible turn of events for her and the transgender community, she has lost that legal battle.
Lia Thomas challenged the rules, claiming they were invalid, unlawful, and discriminatory. But on Wednesday, the Court for Arbitration of Sport dismissed her request for arbitration with World Aquatics.
“The panel concludes that she lacks standing to challenge the policy and the operational requirements in the framework of the present proceeding,” the court said in a ruling.
The decision likely ends Thomas’ Olympic dreams. Back in November of 2021, the International Olympic Committee issued a recommendation for all international federations to develop their own sport-specific eligibility criteria for the women’s competition category, which would also apply to Olympic competitions. With the World Aquatics rules upheld, Thomas will now be banned from the Olympics.
Needless to say, this decision led to a lot of reactions on social media.
Right-wing media got what they wanted: Lia Thomas is barred from competing as a woman.
Now watch them move the goalposts in record time. Almost as though this was never about fairness! pic.twitter.com/KxBmo0Rk6a
— Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) June 13, 2024
Great news! Lia Thomas won't be able to compete in women's category at the Olympics or any other elite competition.
He has just lost his legal battle in Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling.
This is a victory for women and girls everywherehttps://t.co/fEZc47K0FA
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 12, 2024
You know it's entirely possible to think that Lia Thomas being banned from competing as a female in the Olympics is the right thing and ALSO believe that if they want to live their life as a "she", they absolute have the right to do so without being attacked.
— Lauren J in the BigXII (@thespinzone) June 12, 2024
Lia Thomas' Olympic hopes are over after her case was dismissed by the international sports court. https://t.co/qPuvNOBZV3
— Outsports (@outsports) June 13, 2024
Surreal and misleading headline from the Guardian, given that transgender swimmer Lia Thomas was never in the Olympics nor was she being considered for any Olympic team. Still, at least the headline is a nice hook for anti-trans campaigners, eh. https://t.co/AcvN613WOe
— Duncan Hothersall (@dhothersall) June 12, 2024
Clearly, this is a major blow for Thomas as well as any other transgender woman who was hoping to one day make the Olympics in the woman’s category.
[Fox News]
