Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who created controversy during the 2022 season with a win at the NCAA championships, lost a legal battle over rules that prevented trans swimmers who have been through male puberty from competing in elite women’s events.
The Court for Arbitration of Sport dismissed Thomas’ request for arbitration with World Aquatics, according to a ruling released Wednesday. The governing body in swimming made its ruling in 2022, which essentially banned transgender swimmers from competing in female events. World Aquatics also created an "open" category for transgender athletes.
Thomas asked the Switzerland-based court to overturn the rules, saying they were invalid, unlawful and discriminatory.
"The panel concludes that she lacks standing to challenge the policy and the operational requirements in the framework of the present proceeding," the court said in a ruling.
