(6-15-24) American transgender swimmer Lia (Will) Thomas (25) lost a challenge against the Court of Arbitration of Sport in Switzerland, the world’s top court in matters of sporting fairness, to overturn the rules of World Aquatics that prevent transgender women from competing in women’s divisions. The judge ruled Thomas did not have standing to bring the case.

Despite the ruling the Court labeled Thomas in the finding as a ‘female swimmer‘.

Lia (Will) Thomas competed in high school and for a couple of years in college at Penn as a male swimmer.

Riley Gaines commented on the ruling –

“This ruling is a small victory for girls and women everywhere. I think we will see more wins like this both in the judicial courts and the courts of public opinion as time goes on.

Although he would never qualify, Thomas can still try out for the men’s U.S. Olympic team. I hope the NCAA now takes a similar decisive action by stripping Thomas of all awards, titles, and records he stole from deserving female athletes.”

A former female teammate at Penn –