Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
USA TODAY
Lia Thomas 'ordered' to compete with men? Ruling didn't say that | Fact check
By Gabrielle Settles, USA TODAY,
20 days ago
Mar 19, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Penn Quakers swimmer Lia Thomas swims the 100 free at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships at Georgia Tech. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Brett Davis, Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The claim: Post implies Lia Thomas Olympic ban requires her to compete with men going forward
A June 22 Facebook post ( direct link , archive link ) shows a picture of competitive transgender swimmer Lia Thomas next to another photo of retired Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.
"Lia Thomas Banned from 2024 Olympics, Ordered to Compete with Men," text under the image reads.
Social media users took the post to mean Thomas had been ordered to compete exclusively with men in the future.
Another said, "Best news ever! Lets see how great 'she' is competing with men."
The post was shared more than 1,000 times in eight days.
The implied claim is wrong. Thomas lost a legal challenge in June that would have potentially reversed a standing policy that prevents her from competing in the Olympics. But she was not ordered to compete with men going forward.
Thomas challenged ban against transgender athletes at the elite level
Thomas became the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship when she did so in March 2022 while competing for the University of Pennsylvania. She has since become a central figure in the national discussion about transgender people in sports.
Thomas has said she wants to compete in the Olympics, but World Aquatics, the governing body of world swimming otherwise known as FINA, effectively banned trans athletes in 2022 from competing at elite levels like the Olympics. The organization said only those who transitioned before the age of 12 would be allowed to compete in women's events.
James Pearce, spokesperson for FINA President Husain Al-Musallam, addressed the measure in a previously reported statement .
"This is not saying that people are encouraged to transition by the age of 12. It’s what the scientists are saying, that if you transition after the start of puberty, you have an advantage, which is unfair," Pearce said.
Thomas can only compete in USA Swimming events that are not "Elite Events" like the Olympics, the court's ruling stated.
But the decision said nothing about requiring her to compete against males, and there are no credible news reports about her being ordered to compete against males.
USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta .
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0