Lia Thomas Asks CAS to End Ban on Transgender Swimmers in Women's Races

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has submitted a request to Switzerland's Court of Arbitration for Sport asking for the ban that prohibits transgender swimmers from competing in women's races be lifted, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

The CAS, which is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, said Friday that is has processed Thomas' request. However, no date for a hearing has been set. Three judges typically hear CAS cases.

"Ms Thomas seeks an order from the CAS declaring that the [World Aquatics rules] are unlawful, invalid, and of no force and effect," the court said.

The ban, which was imposed by World Aquatics in 2022, prevents transgender women who have gone through male puberty from competing in women's races. Other Olympic sports have adopted similar rules, including track and field and cycling.

Supporters of the rule state that transgender women who have gone through male puberty have physical advantages that they "retain long term after transitioning," per the Associated Press.

Thomas argues that the ban is discriminatory and "cannot be justified as necessary, reasonable, or proportionate to achieve a legitimate sporting objective," the court said.

Swimming adopted the ban after Thomas won a college national title in the 500-yard freestyle women's race while competing for the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. It was a historic victory for Thomas, who became the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship.

Despite the ban, Thomas is still hoping to compete in U.S. Olympic trials at some point in the future.