American swimmer Lia Thomas has sued the World Aquatics organization for preventing her from competing in the sport she loves.
Due to a ruling made by the organization two years ago, transgender individuals were not allowed to participate in women’s elite competitions.
Athletes were previously allowed to compete if their testosterone levels were lowered.
Thomas’ lawyers have asked the CAS, an international sports court, to intervene and resolve the issue.
According to the CAS, Thomas’ lawyers are challenging certain sections of the organization’s policy.
In 2022, Thomas became the first athlete in history to win a national championship in a sport that’s exclusively for women.
She started swimming for the University of Pennsylvania’s men’s team in 2017. Before she transitioned, she had also participated in various competitive events. The championship she won in 2022 is her last competition.
Thomas stated in 2022 that she wanted to participate in the Olympic trials for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.
The arbitration proceeding for her case was initiated in September of that year.
According to the Cas statement, Thomas supports the concept of fair competition.
She also believes that regulations that restrict transgender individuals’ participation in swimming are necessary.
However, according to Thomas, the organization’s regulations violate the rights of transgender individuals.
She also stated that they are unlawful and invalid based on the Olympic Charter and Swiss law.
Thomas’ lawyers asked the court to declare the regulations invalid and unlawful.
Various organizations have also blocked transgender and male-to-female competitors from participating in certain sports.
In response to the controversy, Brent Nowicki, World Aquatics’ executive director, stated that the organization’s policy on gender inclusion was developed based on the advice of leading experts and consultation with athletes.
Despite the controversy, World Aquatics still believes that its policy is an effective way to protect the interests of women’s sport.
In late 2018, it decided to put off plans to establish an open category for transgender individuals at its upcoming World Cup event, which will be held in Berlin.
