Lia Thomas has become the first transge nder athlete to win a National Collegiate Athletic Association swimming championship – with her controversial victory attracting a mixed reception.
The UPenn swimmer, 22, won the 500 yard freestyle in Atlanta in a time of 4 minutes, 33.24 seconds on Thursday evening.
Afterwards, the crowd were notably more enthusiastic when cheering for the woman who’d come second pIace – Emma Weyant, of the University of Virginia. She swam 4:34.99.
While Thomas was given some cheers, boos could also be heard ringing out throughout the spectator stands, as she continues to face allegations that going through male puberty has given her an unfair advantage over her rivaIs.