Trans Swimmer Lia Thomas Mounting Legal Challenge to Compete With Women in the Olympics

John Bazemore/AP

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas is challenging a previous ruling by World Aquatics in an effort to compete for a spot in the Olympics.

In July, the international swimming governing body announced the creation of an “open” category for trans athletes. It came after World Aquatics previously banned trans swimmers from competing in major events like the Olympics.

On Thursday, The Telegraph revealed that Thomas is fighting that ruling. According to the outlet, Thomas has asked Switzerland’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn the ban and allow her to compete with women — as she controversially did at the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas has not competed since becoming the first trans person to win an NCAA Division I national championship in 2022.

Thomas first brought her case to the CAS in September. At the time, however, the case was thrown out because the court argued she was not impacted due to the fact that she did not submit herself to the jurisdiction of USA Swimming.

As noted by The Telegraph, Thomas has been open about her dream to one day compete in the Olympic trials. With the current legal action underway, it appears she remains focused on that goal.

Due to the timing of her case, it’s unlikely it will have any impact on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.