Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas snubbed on podium by fellow medalists
Tokyo Games in the 1500m freestyle, was third. However, Thomas, who swam for the Pennsylvanian men's team before beginning hormone replacement therapy in 2019, received a hostile reception from the crowd afterwards.Her success was greeted by a chorus of boos inside the arena, while Weynant was loudly cheered.
And then her and Sullivan were joined by fourth-placed finished Brooke Ford in seemingly staging their own protest afterwards.
While Thomas stood on the winner's platform, the trio huddled together around the area reserved for the third-placed finishers, ensuring space between them and the victor.
Their actions were perceived as them arguing that Thomas had an unfair advantage in the race.Afterwards, the Texan insisted the reception did not adversely affect her. "I try to ignore it as much as I can, I try to focus on my swimming what I need to do to get ready for my races and I just try to block out everything else," she told ESPN.US swimming updated its policy earlier this year to allow transgender athletes to swim in elite events.
