Transgender swimmer Leah Thomas was first denounced on camera by a fellow college athlete, who said many others were “disappointed and upset” by her participation in women’s races but were afraid to speak out.
While several women spoke anonymously about their concerns, a Virginia Tech student on Thursday said she was forced to speak out after seeing how devastated her co-worker was.
The unnamed student, who also competes in the NCAA Swimming Championships in Atlanta this week, said her teammate finished 17th in the swim, with only the top 16 advancing to Thursday’s finals.
She told the Rapid Fire podcast, “I have a teammate who didn’t make the final today because she was just eliminated from the final and it’s heartbreaking to see someone who went through puberty as a man and has a man’s body. capable of completely blowing away competitors.
“She was very emotional and it’s hard to understand because this is her last NCAA race and she really loves this race.
“And it was just heartbreaking to see that she put all her effort into it today, and with the best time she had in the morning session earlier and still hasn’t come back.”
The Virginia Tech student (pictured) on Thursday became the first person to speak out on camera against Leah Thomas in the women’s competition.
This year’s NCAA swimmer, a Virginia Tech swimmer, describes how her teammate was brought to tears after her place in the final was taken by Leah Thomas: pic.twitter.com/mow56mVp1W
— Sav (@RapidFire_Pod) March 17, 2022
“It’s hard to see someone who works every day and every night and yet can’t compete with someone like that.”
Thomas, 22, has easily beaten her rivals throughout the season, setting records and making her the favorite to win Thursday’s race.
A Virginia Tech student said it was demoralizing to compete with her.
“Then you go into it with the thought that you don’t stand a chance, if that makes sense,” she said.
“Like, it’s hard to compete with someone with aerobic abilities, developed muscles, a man’s body – it’s hard.
“It’s hard to think about it that way – and I bet staying positive for other swimmers in this heat is unbearable. Although I can’t speak for them.
Thomas won Thursday’s 500-yard freestyle final, becoming the first transgender athlete ever to be crowned NCAA champion.
And yet her participation in the competition – until 2019 she competed in the men’s competition – ousted another athlete who dreamed of reaching the final.
Leah Thomas was spotted Thursday night with her NCAA trophy. She is the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA title.
Leah Thomas swims for the University of Pennsylvania Thursday at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. She became the first transgender athlete to win the NCAA Finals.
The NCAA celebrated Thomas’ victory on social media by naming a new national champion.
Video provided @RapidFire_Pod
Thomas, who also smoked fellow swimmers at last month’s Ivy League Championship, set the event’s best time of 4 minutes 33.82 seconds – five seconds faster than the runner-up, earning her place in Thursday’s final.
Thomas shines after winning the 500 yard race.
Thomas, 22, is seen ahead of her race on Thursday, which she also won by taking first place in the final.
The student added that her feelings are shared by many.
“It is generally accepted that we are all very frustrated and frustrated with who has more ability than us women to be able to compete at this level and take away opportunities from other women.”
Meanwhile, the Olympic swimmer, whose daughter will compete against Thomas over the weekend, insists the controversy surrounding the trans swimmer’s historic victory is not her fault, but the sport’s organizers.
Felipe Delgado, who has competed for Ecuador at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, said he believes Thomas has been betrayed by the sporting leadership.
“We need to understand that this is NOT Leah’s fault,” Delgado wrote.
“She plays by the rules. If anything, it is the fault of those who did nothing when the opportunity presented itself.”
Thomas, 22, is seen immediately after her historic victory, which was met with muted reactions from the crowd.
Felipe Delgado, who competed for Ecuador at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, on Thursday denounced Thomas’ participation in the women’s competition. His daughter Anika (pictured) will be racing Thomas over the weekend.
In February, US Swimming ruled that transgender athletes could only compete in women’s competition if they had completed 36 consecutive months of testosterone-lowering treatment. The rule would have meant that Thomas could not compete, but after 10 days the NCAA decided they would only need one year of therapy, arguing that it would be unfair to change their rules midway through the season.
Delgado, who lives in Mission Vieja, California and runs the Evolution Swimming Academy, said they missed their chance to avoid the controversy that has marred the season.
Blame those who for fear of being canceled or labeled transphobic, we don’t want to do the right thing and admit that they were wrong and that there is still a lot to be done before people like Leah can complete honestly.
“It will be more painful when they return and have to erase Leah’s achievements due to public outcry, loss of income, loss of sponsors and possibly the loss of women’s sports.
“What happens when this goes on the international stage and sporting events like the Olympics come into play? What then?’
Anika Delgado, 19, competes at the Tokyo Olympics. She will be racing with Thomas over the weekend.
Delgado is following in the footsteps of his father, Felipe, who competed in two Olympics.
Delgado pointed the finger at the NCAA leadership, accusing them of being afraid to make a difficult decision.
“It’s NOT Leah’s fault, and standing up for the integrity of women’s sports doesn’t make a person transphobic,” he said.
“I just want those who have the power to know this.”
Delgado’s daughter Anika, 19, represented Ecuador at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and currently competes for the University of Southern California.
This weekend she will compete against Thomas in the 100 yard freestyle.
“This weekend my daughter will compete against Leah Thomas in the 100m race at the NCAA Women’s Championship,” Delgado tweeted.
“I will root for my daughter. #fight.’
