The story of Lia Thomas

Brut America

She became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA national championship but victory has earned her congratulations and criticisms.   This is the story of Lia Thomas.

Transcript

00:00Transitioning has allowed me to be more confident.

00:16The NCAA is basically taking efforts to destroy women's athletics.

00:21I can continue to do the sport I love as my authentic self.

00:51I have confidence in me.

00:54I believe in myself.

00:56I believe in the people that I love.

01:01The NCAA has inspired me to make progress in my life.

01:42It was a very awkward experience of basically being a woman competing in a men's meet.

02:12Watching a trans person thrive in sport is amazing because we are so discriminated against

02:35and so for her to be able to get up there and win and break some records, awesome, right?

02:47I feel very supported and just treated like any other member of the women's team.

03:06I feel sorry for the other athletes that are out there especially at Penn or anybody she's

03:13competing against because in the woke world you got to say oh my gosh this is great and on and

03:17on and on. No it's not. I just don't engage with it. It's not healthy for me.

03:35Her school, the University of Pennsylvania, has announced it will work to support her

03:53after the NCAA this week announced new rules for transgender athletes.

04:06So

04:14it means the world to be here.

04:23So

04:31we need to stop allowing organizations like the NCAA to perpetuate frauds on the public.

04:46I try to focus on my swimming, what I need to do to get ready for my races

04:51and just try to block out everything else.

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