Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas won the final of the women’s 500-yard freestyle (about 457 meters) of the American University Swimming and Diving Championships in Atlanta on Thursday.
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Lia Thomas, who represents the University of Pennsylvania, became the first transgender swimmer to win a college title (NCAA) by finishing the final in 4:33:24, more than a second and a half ahead of Emma Weyant , second in 4 min 34 s 99.
Lia Thomas, who had competed as a man at Penn State, divides opinion. Some feel she has an unfair physiological advantage, while others believe she should be allowed to compete freely as a woman.
“I try to ignore it as much as possible,” she reacted, when asked after the race about the controversy surrounding her performance.
“I try to focus on my swimming, what I need to do to get ready for my races and try to block out everything else,” she added. “It means everything to me to be here, to be with two of my best friends and teammates and to be able to compete.”
Lia Thomas had already signed the best series on Thursday morning with a time of 4 min 33 s 82. She will also be one of the favorites of the 200 yards on Friday.
