Seoul Gleou
Veteran
University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title after finishing first in the women's 500-yard freestyle event Thursday evening.
Thomas pulled away in the final 150 yards to win in 4:33.24.
Thomas, who previously swam for the men's team at Penn, has come to personify the ongoing debate on trans women's participation in sports and the balance between inclusion and fair play.
"I try to ignore (negative comments) as much as I can. I try to focus on my swimming and what I need to do to get ready for my races and block out everything else," Thomas told ESPN after the race.
Swimmer Lia Thomas becomes first transgender athlete to win a NCAA D-I title - CNN
happy women's history month
Thomas pulled away in the final 150 yards to win in 4:33.24.
Thomas, who previously swam for the men's team at Penn, has come to personify the ongoing debate on trans women's participation in sports and the balance between inclusion and fair play.
"I try to ignore (negative comments) as much as I can. I try to focus on my swimming and what I need to do to get ready for my races and block out everything else," Thomas told ESPN after the race.
Swimmer Lia Thomas becomes first transgender athlete to win a NCAA D-I title - CNN
happy women's history month