Lia Thomas has become the first tra nsgender athlete to win a National Collegiate Athletic Association swimming championship – with her controversiaI 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 notabIy more enthusiastic when cheering for the woman who’d come second place – 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 maIe puberty has given her an unfair advantage over her rivals.