Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas loses legal case over World Aquatics ban

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed a legal case brought by US transgender swimmer Lia Thomas against World Aquatics, as confirmed by the swimming governing body on Wednesday.

Thomas sought to challenge the 2022 World Aquatics vote that prohibited transgender women from participating in women’s elite races if they had undergone any stage of male puberty, arguing that the rules were discriminatory.

Despite becoming the first transgender athlete to win the highest level of NCAA title in March 2022, the 25-year-old swimmer was found by the Court of Arbitration for Sport panel to be ineligible to compete in elite competitions through World Aquatics or USA Swimming “for the time being.”

The 24-page verdict seen by AFP stated, “The Panel notes that the Athlete did not apply for – let alone was granted – the right to participate in ‘Elite Events’ within the meaning of the USA Swimming Policy.”

The court concluded that Thomas was “simply not entitled to engage with eligibility to compete in WA competitions” and was “not sufficiently affected” by the rules to challenge them, as “She is currently only entitled to compete in USA Swimming events that do not qualify as ‘Elite Events’.”

World Aquatics welcomed the ruling, describing it as “a major step forward in our efforts to protect women’s sport.”

The governing body reaffirmed its commitment to creating an environment that fosters “fairness, respect, and equal opportunities for athletes of all genders” and stated that its policies and practices are regularly evaluated to ensure alignment with these core values, leading to the introduction of an open category.

In a statement, World Aquatics expressed its dedication to collaborating with all stakeholders to uphold the principles of inclusivity in aquatic sports, asserting its confidence that the gender inclusion policy represents a fair approach.

Courtesy : TOI

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