5/19/2023 0 Comments Erica sullivanMillions of people in Ukraine and around the world are fighting for survival. Right now, the world is facing a multitude of crises that require our attention, time and energy. Lia Thomas of the Pennsylvania Quakers smiles after winning the 200 meter freestyle event during a tri-meet against the Yale Bulldogs and the Dartmouth Big Green at Sheerr Pool on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania on Jan. And when she does, she deserves, like anyone else in this sport, to be celebrated for her hard-won success, not labeled a cheater simply because of her identity. Like anyone else in this sport, Lia doesn't win every time. Like anyone else in this sport, Lia has trained diligently to get to where she is and has followed all of the rules and guidelines put before her. However, University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas has been unfairly targeted for just that-for being who she is, a transgender woman. Yet no one questions the validity of how cisgender athletes' unique traits and skills, or who they are, contribute to their success. What makes us each unique also contributes to our success in the pool. All swimmers embody a diverse set of identities and characteristics. I have been given a platform to advocate for my community, and I can't sit silently by as I see a fellow swimmer's fundamental rights be put up for debate. And reaching the Olympics reminded me that athletes have a global voice, and that the world is listening to what we have to say. ![]() The love and support of my teammates taught me the power of being part of something bigger than just myself. All those days and nights spent practicing taught me the importance of hard work and discipline. Throughout my life, swimming has enabled me to learn so much both in and out of the pool, and transgender athletes should not be excluded from this opportunity. All athletes-including transgender athletes-deserve to be respected and included, exactly as we are. ![]() ![]() I feel incredibly grateful that coming out as gay never kept me from being able to participate in the sport I love. This year at the Tokyo Olympics, I saw my wildest dreams come true as I stood on the podium, an out gay silver medalist and one of the first women to swim the 1,500 meter event.
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