UPenn slammed for nominating Lia Thomas for NCAA’s ‘Woman of the Year’ award
ByGabrielle Fonrouge
July 17, 2022 12:48pm
Updated
University of Pennsylvania nominates transgender swimmer Lia Thomas for the 2022 NCAA "Women of the Year" award
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“This is yet another slap in the face to women,” Riley Gaines, a University of Kentucky swimmer who was also nominated for the award, tweeted in response to the news on Friday.
“First a female national title and now nominated for the pinnacle award in collegiate athletics. The @NCAA has made this award worthless.”
Thomas — who won the 500-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Division I Swimming and Diving Championships earlier this year — is one of 577 graduating female student athletes nominated by their schools for the prestigious award.
The 22-year-old’s record-smashing season this year has been mired in controversy with some critics claiming competing in the women’s division gave her an unfair advantage because she was biologically born a male.
“This award combines athletic performance with academics, service, and character. What character has Thomas shown other than sheer selfishness and entitlement?” Gaines continued, accusing Thomas of showing “disrespect” and “disregard” for other female athletes.
Riley Gaines (right) called Thomas’ nomination “another slap in the face to women.”Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire/ Getty Images
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova also criticized the decision.
“What is wrong with you?!!!!!!!?” she tweeted at the NCAA.
Former NCAA swimming champ Marshi Smith, an outspoken critic against transgender women competing in women’s sports, said UPenn is “doubling down on their anti-woman campaign” by deciding to nominate Thomas for the honor.
“@RileyGaines deserves “NCAA Woman of the Year” for sheer guts alone!” Smith tweeted.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova spoke out against Thomas’ nomination, as well.Hector Vivas/Getty Images for WTA
In May, Thomas acknowledged the criticism against her in an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and said she had been prepared for the backlash.
“I knew there would be scrutiny against me if I competed as a woman, and I was prepared for that,” the star athlete said at the time.
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“I intend to keep swimming … It’s been a goal of mine to swim at Olympic trials for a very long time, and I would love to see that through,” she said.
Thomas has faced backlash from the swimming community and others for her choice to compete in the women’s division.AFP via Getty Images
Last month, the controversy surrounding transgender women in sports led to the world swimming’s governing body, FINA, effectively banning them from competing in elite women’s events.
UPenn did not immediately comment on the criticism over Thomas’ nomination for the NCAA.