Lia Thomas has been at the center of an intense debate in the sports world over the past few months. The transgender swimmer has faced strong criticism after breaking multiple records in women’s university competitions, sparking divided opinions within the sports community. While some celebrate inclusivity and Thomas’ right to compete, others have questioned the fairness of her participation in the female category.

Since she began swimming for the women’s team at the University of Pennsylvania, after competing for three seasons in the men’s category, Thomas has broken numerous university records. This triggered a wave of criticism from rival swimmers and even some of her own teammates, who argue that her participation in female competitions is not fair. Although many of these criticisms were made anonymously, the debate quickly spread across social media, where the controversy intensified with opinions from all sides.

The public reaction has been so strong that Thomas was forced to disable direct messages on her Instagram account to avoid the daily hateful comments she receives. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, the swimmer decided to break her silence and speak about the situation.

“The very simple answer is that I’m not an expert,” Thomas declared. “I am a woman, so I belong on the women’s team. People who practice this sport deserve the same respect as any other athlete.”

Thomas insisted that her goal is not to break records or generate controversy, but simply to swim and enjoy her passion. “I just want to show kids and young trans athletes that they are not alone. They don’t have to choose between who they are and the sport they love,” she added.

In her testimony, Thomas recalled the difficult moments she went through before her transition, when she felt confused about her identity and struggled with mental health issues. “I felt really bad,” she confessed. “I was confused about my body. I reached a point where I couldn’t go to school, I missed classes, and my sleep schedule was completely disorganized. There were days when I couldn’t get out of bed. That was when I knew I needed to do something to fix it.”

Thomas’ transition process has been long and challenging, but it has allowed her to find her place both inside and outside the water. Despite criticism and harassment, the swimmer remains determined and passionate about swimming. “I don’t see the negativity or hate,” she assured. “I’m here to swim.”

For Thomas, being able to compete as a woman is a victory in itself, beyond records or awards. “I am a woman, just like everyone else on the team,” she insisted. “I’ve always considered myself just a swimmer. It’s what I’ve done for so long; it’s what I love. I get in the water every day and do my best.”

Lia Thomas’ case has reopened a broader debate about the inclusion of transgender athletes in competitive sports. On one hand, supporters of her participation argue that her right to gender identity should be respected and that preventing her from competing in the women’s category would be a form of discrimination. On the other hand, her detractors argue that the biological differences between men and women may create an unfair advantage and that sports regulations must ensure competitive fairness.

Sports governing bodies have had to face this dilemma by implementing regulations that seek to balance inclusion and competitive fairness. In many cases, specific requirements have been established for transgender athletes to compete in the category of their gender identity, such as prolonged hormone treatments to lower testosterone levels. However, these measures have not been able to completely quell the controversy.

Thomas’ impact on university swimming has already left its mark. Regardless of the future decisions regarding the participation of trans athletes in women’s competitions, her story has helped to highlight the difficulties and challenges that transgender athletes face. Additionally, it has opened up a dialogue about inclusion and fairness in high-performance sports.

Meanwhile, Thomas remains focused on her career and her passion for swimming. Although she does not know for certain what the future holds, she is clear that she wants to continue competing and swimming as the person she is. “I don’t know exactly what my future in swimming will look like after this year, but I would love to keep doing it,” she expressed. “I want to swim and compete as who I am.”