After a year of intense scrutiny, record-breaking victories, and relentless public criticism, Lia Thomas—the transgender swimmer at the center of a national sports debate—has finally spoken out in her own words. In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated, the 23-year-old University of Pennsylvania athlete confronted the backlash that has followed her historic swimming season and sent a strong message to both her supporters and detractors.

“The very simple answer is that I’m not a man,” Thomas said. “I’m a woman, so I belong on the women’s team. Trans people deserve that same respect every other athlete gets.”

Thomas made headlines in the past 12 months for shattering a number of women’s collegiate swimming records after joining the UPenn women’s team. Her success, while celebrated by some as a win for inclusivity and trans representation in sports, was met with fierce criticism from others who argued that her participation created an unfair playing field for cisgender women athletes.

Online forums, media outlets, and even some in the NCAA community erupted with debate over her eligibility, with critics questioning whether her past as a male competitor gave her an irreversible physical advantage.

But Thomas, in her first public comments addressing the controversy directly, emphasized that she is simply doing what she loves: swimming as her authentic self.

“I just want to show trans kids and younger trans athletes that they’re not alone,” she said. “They don’t have to choose between who they are and the sport they love.”

Before transitioning, Thomas competed for three seasons on the UPenn men’s team. But the emotional toll of living in a body that didn’t align with her identity became overwhelming.

“I was very depressed,” she admitted. “I got to the point where I couldn’t go to school. I was missing classes. My sleep schedule was super messed up. Some days I couldn’t get out of bed.”

Eventually, Thomas made the life-changing decision to transition. Since joining the women’s team, she has not only found athletic success but also personal peace. Still, the spotlight has come at a cost.

According to Sports Illustrated, Thomas received so many hateful messages on social media that she was forced to disable direct messaging on her Instagram account. Despite the vitriol, she has stayed focused on her performance and her purpose.

“I don’t look into the negativity and the hate,” she said. “I am here to swim.”

“I’m a woman, just like anybody else on the team. I’ve always viewed myself as just a swimmer. It’s what I’ve done for so long; it’s what I love.”

Thomas insists her goals have never been about breaking records or dominating the competition. “I get into the water every day and do my best,” she added.

Still, her victories have fueled protests and anonymous statements from fellow competitors and their families—many of whom argue, off the record, that her presence changes the competitive landscape.

This ongoing controversy has underscored a larger and still-evolving debate: how to balance inclusion, fairness, and science in gender-segregated sports.

For now, Lia Thomas is standing firm in her identity—and her right to compete.

“I don’t know exactly what the future of my swimming will look like after this year,” she said. “But I would love to continue doing it. I want to swim and compete as who I am.”

Whether or not Thomas remains in the NCAA spotlight in the years to come, her story has already made waves far beyond the pool. In a nation grappling with questions about gender, equality, and athletic integrity, Lia Thomas is no longer just a swimmer—she’s a symbol, and her voice is reshaping the conversation.

As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: Thomas is not backing down. She’s swimming forward.