Lia Thomas' Olympics dreams dashed after legal challenge to World Aquatics' transgender policy fails

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Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who created controversy during the 2022 season with a win at the NCAA championships, lost a legal battle over rules that prevented trans swimmers who have been through male puberty from competing in elite women’s events.

The Court for Arbitration of Sport dismissed Thomas’ request for arbitration with World Aquatics, according to a ruling released Wednesday. The governing body in swimming made its ruling in 2022, which essentially banned transgender swimmers from competing in female events. World Aquatics also created an "open" category for transgender athletes.

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Lia Thomas prepares to swim the women's 500-yard freestyle final at the NCAA swimming and diving championships. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Thomas asked the Switzerland-based court to overturn the rules, saying they were invalid, unlawful and discriminatory.

"The panel concludes that she lacks standing to challenge the policy and the operational requirements in the framework of the present proceeding," the court said in a ruling.

The three-judge panel said USA Swimming had no authority to "to modify such scope of application" of its rules.

"World Aquatics is dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes fairness, respect, and equal opportunities for athletes of all genders and we reaffirm this pledge," the organization said in a statement, via USA Today. "Our policies and practices are continuously evaluated to ensure they align with these core values, which led to the introduction of our open category. 

Lia Thomas of the University of Pennsylvania after winning the 500-yard freestyle