The Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed Lia Thomas’s challenge on Wednesday against World Aquatics’ ban on transgender athletes in the women’s category at elite swimming competitions, barring Thomas from the 2024 Summer Olympics.
This decision is a significant win for women’s sports and a setback for transgender athletes’ attempts to compete based on gender identity.
World Aquatics’ transgender policy prohibits male athletes from competing against women unless they have not undergone male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 or before age 12, whichever is later. The organization asserts that biological females cannot overcome the advantages gained from male puberty through training or nutrition, and cannot use testosterone due to anti-doping regulations.
According to World Aquatics, sports should be categorized based on biological sex. This policy, established in June 2022, led to the creation of an open category for transgender athletes.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the ban, stating it lacked authority to alter the application scope set by World Aquatics, as reported by the New York Post.
Riley Gaines, a female sports advocate and plaintiff in a lawsuit against the NCAA, celebrated the ruling. The lawsuit, backed by over a dozen college athletes, argues that allowing Thomas to compete violates Title IX rights.
“Great news! Lia Thomas won’t be able to compete in women’s category at the Olympics or any other elite competition,” Gaines wrote, calling it a victory for women and girls.
Canadian powerlifter April Hutchinson also expressed support, emphasizing the importance of fair competition and safety for female athletes.
The left has been criticized for undermining women’s sports in the name of “equity” for transgender athletes. The Biden administration’s recent attempt to amend Title IX to replace “sex” with “gender identity” was blocked by a Texas court ruling. Critics argue these changes ignore biological differences and threaten women’s spaces.
