“Nobody wants me on their team,” the athlete declared with tears in her eyes.

In news that has shaken the sports world, Lia William Thomas , one of the most controversial figures in women’s competitive swimming, has officially announced her final retirement after being disqualified from the upcoming Olympic Games. The athlete, who has been the center of intense debate and controversy in recent years, openly expressed her frustration and pain by declaring: “Nobody wants me on their team.”

The statement was made at an impromptu press conference this morning in New York, where Thomas appeared visibly upset by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to exclude her from the competition due to “eligibility issues.”

A career marked by controversy

Lia William Thomas rose to fame not only for her swimming records, but also for becoming the face of one of the most polarizing debates in modern sport: the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s competitions.

Originally competing in the men’s division, Thomas began her transition and later joined the women’s division, generating both international support and rejection. Her victories sparked controversy, with sectors of the public, rival athletes, and sports federations calling for changes to inclusion policies.

Olympic disqualification: the breaking point

Despite meeting the medical and legal requirements established by several sports federations, the IOC recently issued an update to its rules, automatically disqualifying Thomas.

Although the committee did not directly address her case, sources close to the sport revealed that the decision responds to a “new interpretation of the principle of sporting equity,” which seeks to guarantee equal conditions for all female participants.

Given this situation, Thomas was not only excluded from the Olympic roster, but also faced refusal from multiple teams and federations to include her in other international competitions.

“I feel abandoned”

During the press conference, Lia didn’t hide her emotions. “I’ve been training for years. I’ve dedicated my life to this sport. But in the end, I feel like I’m alone. No one wants me on their team,” she confessed through tears.

He added that, despite the pain, his decision to retire isn’t an act of defeat, but rather one of emotional self-protection . “I can’t keep fighting against a system that has already decided I don’t belong here,” he concluded.

Divided reactions

The news of Thomas’s retirement has sparked a wave of reactions on social media. While some applaud his decision as an act of dignity and courage, others celebrate his departure as a “victory for sporting justice.”

LGBTQ+ rights activists have called the disqualification discriminatory and dehumanizing , noting that “sports bodies are going backwards in inclusion.” In contrast, top-level female athletes have stated that Thomas’ participation directly undermined the fairness of competition .

And now what?

For now, Thomas hasn’t revealed what direction his life will take after retirement. Sources close to him indicate that he could become involved in social causes or even publish a book recounting his experiences within the sports system.

The truth is that his name is already etched in history as one of the most emblematic cases of the ethical and sporting dilemmas of our era. His departure from the competitive world raises new questions about how the future of inclusive sport will be defined.

Final reflection

The case of Lia William Thomas is not only a personal story, but also a reflection of the challenges facing today’s society: how to balance inclusion, justice, and equity in a world that still lacks clear answers. Meanwhile, an athlete retires with a broken heart, and the sport loses a figure who, for better or worse, changed it forever.