Atlanta, Ga. — Lia Thomas, the transgender-identifying male swimmer competing in the NCAA women’s swim championships, tied fifth on Friday with Riley Gaines of the University of Kentucky in the women’s 200-yard freestyle. Taylor Ruck, a Stanford junior, came in first at 1:41.12.
During the introductions for the 200-yard swim, each female athlete was greeted with unanimous cheers and applause. But when Lia Thomas’s name was announced, boos could be heard as well.
A mix of boos and cheers at the introduction of Lia Thomas before the 200-yard freestyle final. Strikingly different to how the female athletes were received. pic.twitter.com/0SQ1w5W8zt
— Madeleine Kearns (@madeleinekearns) March 19, 2022
On Thursday, Thomas was awarded the 500-yard freestyle championship, with a finishing time of 4:34.99. When Ruck won the 200-yard freestyle, her teammates crowded around her and the crowd cheered.
The enthusiastic reaction from the crowd and swim teammates when Taylor Ruck won the 200-yard freestyle. pic.twitter.com/PWfxE9xvee
— Madeleine Kearns (@madeleinekearns) March 19, 2022
However, when Thomas finished first in the 500-yard freestyle, the crowd’s reaction was more split, and Thomas’s teammates were noticeably less enthusiastic. Thomas walked alone to the camera crew, as female swimmers chose to hug each other instead.
The relatively quiet/tense reaction from the crowd and swim teammates when Lia Thomas finished first in the 500-yard freestyle. (Compare with Taylor Ruck reaction tweet.) pic.twitter.com/qDRz8fwENC
— Madeleine Kearns (@madeleinekearns) March 19, 2022
As Thomas gave an interview to ESPN, one women’s-rights protestor shouted, “He’s a man!”
“He’s a man!” yells a women’s rights protestor as Lis Thomas gives remarks after finishing first in the women’s 500 freestyle finals. #NCAASwimDive pic.twitter.com/6Ct1iX4FnK
— Madeleine Kearns (@madeleinekearns) March 18, 2022