Over the past few months, swimmer Lia Thomas has dominated the competition in the pool and the headlines around the country.
Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win a national title when she took home first place in the 500-yard freestyle. Following her terrific season, a change to the rules could be coming.
On Thursday afternoon, NCAA president Mark Emmert hinted at such. He said the “new standard” will be “phased in.”
Here’s more of what he said, via FOX News:
“What the board also said, though, is that the new standard will be phased in starting the new competition cycle. The board’s position has been we will utilize the standards the Olympics are using, but they also reserve the right to talk to the medical — the Committee on Medical Aspects of Sport to make sure that that model, whatever the Olympics is using, is also consistent with collegiate athlete health and well-being and inclusion.
And so the standards that have now been put in place by USA Swimming may or may not be adopted by the international federation, FINA.”
Emmert reiterated the NCAA wanted to use the same standards as the Olympics.
“The board is committed to using the same standards as the Olympics and simply phasing them in so that athletes know what they are far enough in advance that they can make decisions appropriately,” he said.
Following Thomas’ victory it seems like significant change is on the horizon. We’ll have to wait and see how that impacts the 2022-23 athletics year.
Stay tuned for the latest.
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