Lia Thomas, the controversial transgender swimmer who unleashed debates in the world of sport, has been expelled from the 2025 Olympic Games in the women’s category. Instead, he was forced to compete against male athletes, a decision that shocked the sports community. The measure has generated strong reactions of both supporters and detractors, and many wonder what this means for the future of transgender athletes in competitive sport.

The decision occurs after several international sports organizations and athletes argued that allowing Thomas to compete in the women’s category created an unfair playing field. While Thomas had dominated the NCAA competitions, his presence unleashed intense debates about equity, and many athletes competed against someone who was in male puberty.

In a statement on the situation, Thomas expressed his deep disappointment and described the ruling as “a great setback towards inclusion in sport.” He emphasized that he has followed all the guidelines established by regulatory bodies and that he has trained as hard as any other athlete. “I just want to compete as myself,” said Thomas.

However, the reactions of male athletes were even more surprising. Instead of celebrating the ruling, many openly expressed concern about equity, in the opposite direction. Some declared that forcing Thomas to compete against men, despite years of hormonal therapy, was equally unfair and disadvantage. Others, on the other hand, celebrated the decision, arguing that biology should influence sports categorization.

“Sport is justice,” said a swimmer. “But, at the same time, it is not entirely correct that someone who has been in hormonal therapy with men for years. In addition, it is a complex issue.”

Meanwhile, athletes who previously competed against Thomas have widely praised the decision. Many have been advocating more strict regulations to guarantee fair competition, arguing that their voices have been ignored for too long. “We have been saying this for years,” said an Olympic candidate. “Women deserve fair competition, and this is finally a step in the right direction.”

The ruling has also revived the debate about the treatment that international sport will give to transgender athletes in the future. Some have requested a separate category to guarantee fair competition for all, while others believe that sport should continue to be strictly divided by biological sex.

As the controversy develops, one thing is safe: the Olympic dreams of Lia Thomas have taken an unexpected turn and the world will be observing closely to see what happens next.