In a dramatic turn of events, Paula Scanlan, a former teammate of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the University of Pennsylvania, has publicly demanded an apology following Thomas’ failed legal battle to compete in women’s events at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Scanlan’s outcry, posted on X, claims she and other female teammates were “forced to undress” with Thomas “18 times a week” in shared locker rooms, sparking renewed debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Lia Thomas, 25, made history in 2022 as the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA Division I swimming championship, clinching the women’s 500-yard freestyle. However, her victory ignited controversy, with critics arguing that her prior participation on Penn’s men’s team and male puberty gave her an unfair physical advantage. In June 2022, World Aquatics introduced a policy barring transgender women who underwent any part of male puberty from competing in elite women’s races, effectively halting Thomas’ Olympic aspirations. Thomas challenged the rule at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing it was discriminatory and violated the Olympic Charter. On June 12, 2024, the CAS dismissed her case, citing that Thomas, no longer a member of USA Swimming, lacked standing to challenge the policy.
Scanlan, who has been vocal about her discomfort with Thomas’ presence in women’s locker rooms, took to X after the ruling, writing, “Okay, but is anyone going to apologize for forcing us to undress with him 18 times a week?” Her statement, which went viral, reflects the unease some teammates felt sharing facilities with Thomas, who transitioned after competing on the men’s team for three seasons. Scanlan, a sexual assault survivor, previously testified in 2023 that Thomas’ presence triggered her trauma, forcing her to change in bathroom stalls for privacy.
The ruling was celebrated by critics like former swimmer Riley Gaines, who called it “a victory for women and girls everywhere.” However, advocates like Athlete Ally condemned the decision, arguing it denies transgender athletes their rights. Thomas, in a statement via her legal team, called the ruling “deeply disappointing” and urged trans women athletes to continue fighting for inclusion.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between fairness and inclusion in women’s sports. World Aquatics’ policy, mirrored by other sports like World Athletics, cites retained physical advantages from male puberty, though some studies question these claims. Meanwhile, Thomas’ supporters, including over 300 swimmers who signed a 2022 letter, argue she followed all rules and deserves to compete. As the debate rages on, Scanlan’s demand for an apology underscores the personal toll felt by some athletes caught in this polarizing issue. With the Paris Olympics approaching, the spotlight remains on how sports governing bodies will navigate transgender inclusion.
