Brooke Forde has ‘great respect’ for transgender University of Pennsylvania women’s swim team member Lia Thomas
Olympian Brooke Forde has defended transgender University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, claiming Thomas has the right to swim against her in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) events this year.
Previously known as Will before the pandemic, Thomas has competed on UPenn’s women’s swim team this season while breaking a number of records.
Thomas’ presence in female competition has caused controversy, with the NCAA updating its policy to determine that individual sporting bodies must decide their own rules on transgender athlete participation amid pressure from a group of UPenn parents to amend regulations.
But while the likes of Caitlyn Jenner have blasted Thomas, the youngster has found support in potential rival and Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Forde.
In a statement which was read out by her father and sportswriter Pat on Yahoo Sports’ College Football Enquirer podcast, Forde started by saying: “I have great respect for Lia.
“Social change is always a slow and difficult process, and we rarely get it correct right away,” continued Forde, who finished second with the US’ preliminary 4×200-meter freestyle relay team at the Games.
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