The decision comes after several international sports organizations and athletes argued that allowing Thomas to compete in the women’s category created an unfair playing field. While Thomas had dominated NCAA competitions, her presence sparked intense debates about fairness, and many female athletes were competing against someone going through male puberty.
In a statement addressing the situation, Thomas expressed deep disappointment, calling the ruling “a huge step backward toward achieving inclusivity in sport.” She emphasized that she has followed all guidelines set by governing bodies and trained just as hard as any other athlete. “I just want to compete as my true self,” Thomas explained.
The reactions of male athletes, however, were even more surprising. Instead of celebrating the ruling, many of them openly expressed concerns about fairness in the opposite direction. Some declared that forcing Thomas to compete against men, despite years of hormone therapy, was equally unfair and disadvantageous. Others, however, welcomed the decision, arguing that biology must play a role in the categorization of sports.
“Sport is about fairness,” explained one male swimmer. “But at the same time, it’s not exactly right for someone who has been undergoing hormone therapy for years to compete with men. It’s also a complicated issue.”
Meanwhile, female athletes who previously competed against Thomas have largely praised the decision. Many have long advocated for stricter regulations to ensure fair competition, arguing that their voices have been ignored for too long. “We’ve been saying this for years,” said one Olympic hopeful. “Women deserve fair competition, and this is finally a step in the right direction.”
The ruling has also sparked renewed debate about how international sports will treat transgender athletes in the future. Some have called for a separate category to ensure fair competition for all, while others believe sports should remain strictly divided by biological sex.
As the controversy unfolds, one thing is certain – Lia Thomas’s Olympic dreams have taken an unexpected turn, and the world will be watching closely to see what happens next.
