Katie Ledecky has remained quiet about the NCAA’s designation in a lawsuit over allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas to participate in the 2022 championships, as she avoided questions about the matter ahead of the US Olympic team trials on June, 15.
Recognized as the most successful swimmer in history with a record seven Olympic gold medals, Ledecky, 27, was asked about Thomas and the Title IX lawsuit while being profiled by the New York Times, after several college women sued the NCAA two years ago. , claiming that her rights were violated when Thomas was allowed to run and change in the women’s locker room.
Ledecky, who also holds a record 21 World Championship gold medals, “preferred not to go into details,” the newspaper reported. But he offered to share a general comment.
“I think we’re lucky to live in a country where issues can be debated, whether it’s that issue or any other issue,” Ledecky told the NYT.
‘This is how I feel. I think it’s important to know each other’s perspectives, understand things and learn more about each other’s background.’
Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, 27, stayed quiet about the NCAA’s lawsuit for allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas to compete in women’s races, dodging questions from the New York Times.
Thomas, who ran for UPenn in 2022, was also allowed to change in the women’s locker room.
The Maryland native was also asked if she pursues political activism within swimming.
“I don’t want to get into politics,” Ledecky responded, adding: “I think everyone has the ability to choose what they feel comfortable with and what they want to defend…
“As a current athlete and as someone who still competes, I have always tried to keep my focus on the competition and not get too involved in anything that could become controversial.”
Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines is among more than a dozen college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in March. At the 2022 national championships in Atlanta, he ran against Thomas in the 200-yard final, but was deprived of a fifth-place trophy despite finishing tied with the trans swimmer.
Thomas swam for the University of Pennsylvania. He competed for the Penn men’s team before his gender transition.
Thomas was the first openly transgender athlete to win a Division I title in any sport, finishing ahead of three Olympic medalists in the championship. By not making the finals, the lawsuit mentions that Florida swimmer Tylor Mathieu, who was not a plaintiff, was denied first-team All-American honors in that event.
Other plaintiffs included volleyball and track athletes.
A plaintiff in the lawsuit is University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who lost to Thomas
In 2022, the NCAA revised its policies on the participation of transgender athletes to better align with national sports governing bodies.
The lawsuit says the plaintiffs “bring this case to assure future generations of women of the promise of Title IX that the NCAA denies them and other college women.”
‘College sports are the primary arena for women’s sports in the United States, and while the NCAA does not comment on pending litigation, the Association and its members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports, and ensure fair competition. in all NCAA championships. ”the NCAA said in a statement.
In 2022, the NCAA revised its policies on the participation of transgender athletes in what they called an attempt to align with national sports governing bodies.
The third phase of the revised policy adds standards from national and international sports governing bodies to NCAA rules and is scheduled to be implemented for the 2024-25 school year.
The lawsuit also names the University of Georgia system as a defendant because one of its schools, Georgia Tech, hosted the 2022 championships. The lawsuit seeks to block the NCAA from employing its transgender eligibility policies that negatively impact female athletes. in violation of Title IX’ at upcoming events to be held in Georgia.
Ledecky, who chooses to stay out of the political spotlight, received the Medal of Freedom in May
In March, Thomas asked a Swiss sports court to overturn rules imposed by World Aquatics that prevent her from competing in elite women’s races, saying she was being discriminated against.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it had registered Thomas’ application but had not decided on a hearing date. Confidentiality surrounding a case launched in September was lifted after it was reported in the British media.
World Aquatics agreed to rules in June 2022 that prohibited transgender women who had gone through male puberty from competing in women’s races. It also created an “open” category for which transgender athletes would be eligible.
Since then, other Olympic sports bodies, including track and field and cycling, have adopted similar rules that supporters say recognize the physical advantages of male puberty that athletes retain long-term after transitioning.