Katie Ledecky avoids questions on NCAA’s Lia Thomas lawsuit before Olympics trials
Katie Ledecky has remained tight-lipped about the NCAA naming a lawsuit for allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas to compete in the 2022 championships, as she avoided questions about the matter before the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on June 15.
Recognized as the most successful female swimmer in history with a record seven Olympic gold medals, Ledecky, 27, was asked about Thomas and the Title IX lawsuit while being profiled by the New York Times after several collegiate women two years ago had sued the NCAA, claiming their rights were violated when Thomas was allowed to race and change in the women’s locker room.
Ledecky, who also has a record 21 World Cup gold medals, “preferred not to participate,” the newspaper reported. But she did offer to make a general comment.
“I think we’re fortunate that we live in a country where issues can be debated, whether it’s that issue or any other issue,” Ledecky told the NYT.
‘It’s how I feel. I think it’s important to get to know other people’s perspectives, gain insight into issues and learn more about where everyone comes from.’
Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, 27, remained tight-lipped about the lawsuit against the NCAA for allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas to compete in women’s races, dodging questions from the New York Times.
Thomas, who rode for UPenn in 2022, was also allowed to change in the women’s locker rooms
The Maryland native was also asked if she follows political activism within swimming.
“I don’t want to get into politics,” Ledecky responded, adding, “I think everyone has the ability to choose what they feel comfortable with and what they want to stand up for…
“As a current athlete and someone who still competes, I have always tried to keep my focus on the competition and not get too involved in anything that could become controversial.”
Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines is one of more than a dozen college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in March. At the 2022 national championships in Atlanta, she raced against Thomas in the 200-meter final but was denied a fifth-place finish despite finishing tied with the trans swimmer.
Thomas swam for the University of Pennsylvania. She competed on the Penn men’s team before her gender transition.
Thomas was the first openly transgender athlete to win a Division I title in any sport, finishing ahead of three Olympic championship medalists. By not making the finals, the lawsuit notes that Florida swimmer Tylor Mathieu, who was not a plaintiff, was denied first-team All-American honors in that event.
Other plaintiffs included athletes from volleyball and track and field.
A plaintiff in the lawsuit is University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who lost to Thomas
In 2022, the NCAA revised its policy on the participation of transgender athletes to better align with national sports governing bodies
The lawsuit said the plaintiffs “bring this case to secure for future generations of women the promise of Title IX denied to them and other college women by the NCAA.”
“College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America, and while the NCAA does not comment on pending litigation, the Association and its members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition in all NCAA championships. the NCAA said in a statement.
In 2022, the NCAA revised its policy on the participation of transgender athletes in what it called an effort to join the sport’s national governing bodies.
The third phase of the revised policy adds national and international standards for sports governing bodies to the NCAA’s rules and is expected to be implemented for the 2024-2025 school year.
The lawsuit also names the University of Georgia system as a defendant because one of its schools, Georgia Tech, hosted the 2022 championships. The lawsuit seeks to stop the NCAA from applying its transgender eligibility policy “that a negatively impacts female athletes in violation of Title IX” at upcoming events held in Georgia.
Ledecky, who chooses to stay out of the political spotlight, received the Medal of Freedom in May
In March, Thomas asked a Swiss sports venue to overturn World Aquatics rules that prevented her from competing in elite women’s races, saying she was being discriminated against.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it has registered Thomas’ request, but no date has yet been set for a hearing. Confidentiality surrounding a case that began in September was lifted after it was reported in the British media.
World Aquatics agreed rules in June 2022 banning transgender women who have gone through male puberty from competing in women’s races. An ‘open’ category was also created for which transgender athletes would be eligible.
Other Olympic sports organizations, including track and field and cycling, have since adopted similar rules that supporters say recognize the physical benefits of male puberty that athletes retain long-term after menopause.