Leah Thomas, an Ivy League swimmer, is one of the most well-known transgender athletes. She has spoken about her identity and the controversy surrounding her. Thomas, a former student at Duke University, won the women’s 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships. In 2018, she started hormone replacement therapy to change her gender identity. She said the therapy helped her deal with her low self-esteem and helped her perform better in the pool.
Although she has avoided commenting on the issue, she has been in the public eye since 2021. As a team swimmer, she has been in the spotlight since March. Her story touches on issues of transgender inclusion, equity in sports, and the intersection of identity and athletics. Her interview with SwimSwam is the first to discuss her experiences and decision to relocate. But can she really be considered transgender?
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In her freshman year, Thomas competed in college competitions as a man. She competed against the Columbia men in the 1000 yard freestyle. After that, Thomas decided to change her name to Lia Catherine, after her mother encouraged her to do so. She took a year off from swimming and took a break from competitive athletics to maintain her eligibility. In the summer of 2021, she returned to Pennsylvania, where she swam in the women’s division.