Lia Thomas: Transgender athlete's participation threatened as USA Swimming update policy

Lia Thomas’s ability to compete in NCAA events is under threat after USA Swimming updated its policy on transgender athletes.

Thomas, who began to transition in May 2019, has represented the University of Pennsylvania in a number of races in recent months, setting multiple records for the institution.

The 22-year-old meets the eligibility standards set by the NCAA for women’s swimming events, having undergone a year of hormone-suppression therapy.

She has also been backed by her teammates, equal rights activists, the Ivy League, and the University of Pennsylvania.

This has not stopped Thomas from becoming the subject of toxic criticism, however, including from high-profile figures such as Caitlyn Jenner and Piers Morgan.

In response to the backlash, the NCAA announced a number of changes to its regulations on transgender athletes, falling into line with the International Olympic Committee and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

The new policy means the NCAA will follow the rules of the national and international governing bodies.

As such, USA Swimming has updated its own policy. Effective immediately, it will remain in place until the release of an elite policy by the International Swimming Federation.

Specific guidelines have been developed for both non-elite and elite athletes. As an NCAA competitor, Thomas counts as an elite athlete.

The elite athlete policy will be implemented by a decision-making panel composed of three independent medical experts.

USA Swimming Releases Athlete Inclusion, Competitive Equity and Eligibility Policy: https://t.co/llHMqKbW3Y pic.twitter.com/HmxRTJCIyK

To compete, athletes will have to provide evidence that their prior physical development as a male, as mitigated by any medical