Thread by @SportGenerosity

A former swimmer's thoughts on Lia:

“None of you cared about women's sports before you had a "reason" to. Beyond that though, Lia has not dominated this sport. Nor have any other trans athletes. She placed 5th and 8th in other events at that meet.

(Also the 500 free sucks and I've even seen many a MAN flop out of the water following that event. I give mad props to whoever does this event. I purposely sandbaged it so I would never have to do it again)

"But her wing span and height!! THE BIOLOGICAL ADVANTAGES!!!!!!" @MichaelPhelps has a longer than average wingspan, a larger web in this feet and hands, hyperextended joints (main advantage in his ankles), and produced less lactic acid than other athletes.

No one complained about his advantages and he (more or less) dominated his sport. Some women are tall also, but if it's a tall woman AFAB athlete no one yells that they should compete with males. If you go after one athletes body you have to go for them all.

If you only go after Lia or other trans female athletes, you're transphobic. Furthermore where do we draw the line w "natural advantages"?

"But she AMAB!!!"
So? They had to test her hormone levels before she swam. She had no more testosterone than what was outside a female limit

Her muscle mass began decreasing at 3-6 months. Then I also pose the question to you, what about intersex people? She took 2 years off of school to make sure she could participate in this sport. Let her swim.

@NCAA let her compete. Be mad at NCAA, not Lia.

She's a person not a political pawn. Even @USASwimming says they have no problem with Lia representing them in Paris for 2024 Olympics as a woman athlete. Furthermore, watch what you say. Someone you know who's listening to your HATEFUL rhetoric probably loves someone who

identifies as trans or queer as well as an athlete.

She's the first transgender athlete to win a division 1 @NCAA title. If "men" are the threat to sports why has it taken this long for someone trans to win a title?

The REAL threat to women's sports is not other women (INCLUDING TRANSFEMALE ATHLETES). It's the lack of funding, protection, and strong female leadership. It's also the rampant sexual harassment and unequal pay. So think about that.

PS. I'm literally looking at her times right now and you can tell how she's had to work hard to get her times back. Her 500 free times are no where near consistent, and her other times are really scattered too.

Looking at times of other high ranking swimmers Lia fares about equal to them. Just so you know...” - Kelsie Vaughn

#athletes #sports #humanity #swimming #LiaThomas #swimming #TransRightsAreHumanRights