Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Slams NCAA & Says Trans Swimmer Lia Thomas Was Not ‘Rightful Winner’
Controversial Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is slamming the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and declaring trans swimmer Lia Thomas is not the “rightful winner” of the 500m freestyle title.
Last Thursday (Mar. 17), after taking home the title in Atlanta, Thomas made history, becoming the first known transgender athlete to win a US college swimming championship. As expected, her victory caused backlash among right-wing politicians and transphobic athletes and critics.
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Joining the criticism is Republican Gov. DeSantis, who’s being eyed as a potential US presidential candidate. In a proclamation, DeSantis declared that Sarasota, FL native and University of Virginia swimmer Emma Weyant was the “rightful winner.” While his proclamation has zero power to reverse the ruling, DeSantis said, “It is my determination that men should not be competing against women such as Emma Weyant … Florida rejects the NCAA’s efforts to destroy women’s athletics, disapproves of the NCAA elevating ideology over biology, and takes offense at the NCAA trying to make others complicit in a lie.” It’s to be noted that USA Swimming’s policy states that trans athletes must undergo three years of hormone replacement therapy prior to competing. Thomas is reportedly 6 months short of that, but the NCAA chose not to adopt the rules and allowed the senior to still compete. #Socialites, thoughts?
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