The debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports has once again taken center stage with recent claims about Lia Thomas, the former University of Pennsylvania swimmer who became the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA Division I national title in 2022.

A viral social media post circulating widely asserts that Thomas declared, “I am a real woman” and “I am a woman, just like anyone else on the women’s team, so I must be allowed to compete in the 2028 Olympics.” According to the post, this statement triggered an explosive backlash from the U.S.

women’s swimming team, with members threatening to withdraw en masse if Thomas is permitted to compete, followed by a shocking decision from USA Swimming. However, upon closer examination, these claims appear to stem from misinformation and fabricated narratives that have plagued discussions about Thomas for years.

Lia Thomas rose to prominence during the 2021-2022 college swimming season, transitioning from competing on the men’s team to the women’s team after beginning hormone therapy. Her victories, including the NCAA 500-yard freestyle championship, sparked intense controversy over fairness in women’s sports.

Critics argued that physiological advantages retained from male puberty, such as greater muscle mass, lung capacity, and bone density, could not be fully mitigated by testosterone suppression. Supporters emphasized Thomas’s compliance with existing rules at the time and her right to compete as her authentic self.

The discourse often highlighted the tension between inclusion and competitive equity, with figures like Olympic champion Caitlyn Jenner and former swimmers voicing concerns about preserving opportunities for biological females.

In response to the growing debate, World Aquatics—the international governing body for swimming—introduced a new policy in June 2022. This policy effectively bars transgender women who have experienced any part of male puberty from competing in elite women’s events.

To qualify for women’s categories, athletes must prove they transitioned before age 12 or before reaching Tanner Stage 2 of puberty, whichever comes later. World Aquatics also created an “open” category for transgender and non-binary athletes, though it saw limited participation in initial trials.

This rule was designed to prioritize fairness based on scientific evidence suggesting that male puberty confers lasting physical advantages, even after hormone therapy.

Thomas challenged this policy through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, arguing that it was discriminatory and violated principles in the Olympic Charter and human rights conventions. She sought to overturn the restrictions to pursue her Olympic aspirations.

However, in June 2024, CAS dismissed her case on procedural grounds, ruling that Thomas lacked standing because she was not actively registered for elite competitions under USA Swimming at the time. The decision upheld World Aquatics’ policy, stating it was a legitimate effort to protect women’s sport.

As a result, Thomas remains ineligible for women’s elite events, including Olympic qualification trials and the Games themselves.

The viral claim about a 2028 Olympics bid appears to be an extension of similar misinformation campaigns seen in recent years.

For instance, in October 2025, fabricated quotes attributed to Australian Olympic swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan went viral, falsely claiming she threatened to boycott the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if Thomas competed, calling it an “insult” to share the pool.

Swimming Australia quickly denounced these as entirely made-up, with no evidence O’Callaghan ever made such statements. Fact-checks from outlets like AAP and Transvitae confirmed the posts were hoax content spreading on social media platforms, exploiting the ongoing transgender sports debate for engagement.

Similar patterns emerged earlier: claims that Thomas was “ordered to compete with men,” invited to try out for the men’s Olympic team, or involved in boycotts by U.S. or international teams have all been debunked as originating from satire sites or misleading headlines.

No credible reports from major news sources, including ESPN, NBC, or Reuters, support the specific allegations in the recent post—no public statement from Thomas demanding 2028 inclusion in those exact terms, no team-wide withdrawal threat from U.S.

women’s swimmers, and no “shocking” new decision from USA Swimming altering policies in response.

USA Swimming aligns with World Aquatics for international competitions, meaning the existing ban applies to Olympic pathways. As of late 2025, Thomas has not competed at elite levels since 2022 and has shifted focus toward advocacy for transgender rights in sports.

In statements following her CAS loss, she described the ruling as “deeply disappointing” and called for broader fights against exclusionary policies.

Advocates like Athlete Ally argue that blanket bans harm transgender athletes without fully addressing nuanced science, while organizations like World Aquatics maintain their stance protects the integrity of women’s categories.

The transgender inclusion debate in swimming reflects broader issues across sports. Other governing bodies, such as World Athletics and the International Cycling Union, have implemented similar restrictions, citing irreversible advantages from male puberty.

Studies on the topic vary: some research indicates hormone therapy significantly reduces performance gaps, while others highlight retained benefits in strength and endurance. The International Olympic Committee has deferred detailed rules to individual federations, leading to a patchwork of policies.

This latest viral post underscores how misinformation can amplify polarized views. Social media algorithms often boost sensational content, turning debunked stories into perceived truths. For example, pages like “Swimming Life” or anonymous groups have repeatedly shared altered images and quotes to fuel outrage, sometimes garnering millions of views before corrections.

Fact-checking organizations emphasize verifying sources, especially on hot-button topics like gender in sports.

Ultimately, under current rules, Lia Thomas cannot compete in women’s events at the 2028 Olympics or any World Aquatics-sanctioned elite competition. Any future changes would require policy revisions, likely amid ongoing legal and scientific scrutiny. The conversation continues to evolve, balancing empathy for individual athletes with concerns for fair play.

As the 2028 Games approach in Los Angeles, expect continued dialogue, but grounded in verified facts rather than viral fabrications.

The story of Lia Thomas illustrates the complexities of modern sports governance. From her NCAA triumphs to legal battles, it has prompted global reflection on identity, biology, and competition. While passions run high on all sides, accurate information remains key to informed discussion.

Transgender athletes deserve dignity, biological female athletes deserve protected categories, and the sporting world seeks equitable solutions. For now, the rules stand firm, closing the door on Thomas’s Olympic dreams in women’s swimming while opening debates that may shape policies for years to come.