Lia Thomas Booed After Trangender Swimmer Beats Emma Weyant, Video Shows
Olympics.Erica Sullivan, a silver medalist in the 1,500 meter freestyle event in Tokyo, finished third.As noted by Swim Swan, one person shouted "He's a man," after Thomas won the race, with a small chant of "Protect girls' sports" also breaking out from others watching in the crowd.Video taken at the arena at the Georgia Institute of Technology showed the crowd cheering and clapping enthusiastically for Weyant when she was on the podium and announced as the runner-up.There was a more muted response from the crowd when Thomas was presented as the winner, with some booing also heard.Thomas was also booed by some members of the crowd after giving an interview to ESPN following her victory.NCAA- As winners are announced crowd goes wild for 2nd place winner of the 500Y Freestyle.
Crowd goes quiet as Thomas is announced first place. pic.twitter.com/fh5sVvlVxc#LiaThomas of @PennSwimDive is the 2022 @NCAA DI All-American National Champion in the 500-free.
Her time of 4:33.82 beat runner up Virginia freshman Emma Weyant by more than one second. She spoke to ESPN after, and when the interview ended, some spectators booed.
Story coming! pic.twitter.com/izDU7yOodkDuring the interview, Thomas said that she tries to "ignore" the divisive debate about whether she or other transgender athletes should be able to compete in competitive sports."I try to focus on my swimming, what I need to do to get ready for my races.
