Midwest Chick's Place

 Will Thomas (aka Lia Thomas) the college swimmer who used his superior musculature combined with the stupidity of college administrators to take home trophies he didn’t deserve, has finally been denied.  He had taken World Aquatics to court (I’m still flabbergasted that there is a sports court) after they changed the rules to actually make it fair for women to compete along with creating an open category (which no one signed up for since it’s actually a level playing field again).  So he’s out of the Olympics.

From The Guardian:

Thomas had argued that those rules should be declared “invalid and unlawful” as they were contrary to the Olympic charter and the World Aquatics constitution.

However, in a 24-page decision, the court concluded that Thomas was “simply not entitled to engage with eligibility to compete in WA competitions” as someone who was no longer a member of US swimming.

The news was welcomed by World Aquatics, who hailed it as “a major step forward in our efforts to protect women’s sport”.

“World Aquatics is dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes fairness, respect, and equal opportunities for athletes of all genders and we reaffirm this pledge,” it added.

World Aquatics introduced its new rules after Thomas beat Olympic silver medalist Emma Weyant by 1.75sec to win NCAA gold in the women’s 500-yard freestyle in 2022.

In a scientific document that informed its decision, it said swimmers such as Thomas retained significant physical advantages – in endurance, power, speed, strength and lung size – from undergoing male puberty, even after reducing their testosterone levels through medication.

 Of course this decision was based on a technicality since Thomas isn’t a member of USA Swimming anymore and so cannot challenge their rules.  But at least it’s something.