Lia Thomas, the transgender swimmer who made headlines for her groundbreaking participation in women’s collegiate swimming, has announced her retirement from competitive swimming. The 25-year-old athlete cited a lack of acceptance from both peers and the broader swimming community as the primary reasons for her decision.

In a statement released earlier today, Thomas expressed her disappointment over the challenges she has faced since transitioning and competing in women’s events. “I’ve always loved swimming, and I’ve worked incredibly hard to get where I am today,” Thomas said. “But the reality is, nobody wants me on their team. It’s become clear that my presence in the sport has created more division than I ever intended.”

Thomas’s journey has been fraught with controversy, as she faced backlash from some quarters who argued that her participation in women’s sports was unfair to cisgender female athletes. Despite the NCAA’s policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in accordance with their gender identity, Thomas often found herself at the center of heated debates about fairness and inclusion in sports.

Her retirement marks the end of a career that, while brief, was intensely scrutinized. Thomas won several titles during her time in collegiate swimming, sparking discussions about the future of transgender athletes in competitive sports. However, the emotional and mental toll of constant criticism and exclusion proved too much.

In her farewell message, Thomas also emphasized the need for greater understanding and empathy in the sporting world. “I hope that my journey has at least opened up some conversations about what it means to be truly inclusive,” she said. “But for now, it’s time for me to step away and focus on my own well-being.”

Thomas plans to remain involved in the swimming community, albeit in a different capacity. She expressed a desire to work as an advocate for transgender rights and inclusion in sports, aiming to help pave the way for future athletes who face similar challenges.

As the debate over transgender participation in sports continues, Thomas’s retirement serves as a poignant reminder of the personal struggles that come with breaking new ground in traditionally rigid spaces. While her time in the pool may be over, her impact on the conversation surrounding inclusivity in sports will likely resonate for years to come.