In a strong and passionate statement, commentator and activist Candace Owens called for transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to be banned from competing in women’s competitions, calling the situation a “violation of women’s rights.” This call came amid growing controversy over Thomas’ participation in women’s swimming competitions and sparked a fierce debate about inclusivity and fairness in sport.
Lia Thomas, a former swimmer on the University of Pennsylvania men’s team, made headlines in 2022 when she began competing in women’s swimming events after undergoing hormone treatment as part of her gender transition. She quickly won several national titles, sparking a divide in the sports world. Transgender rights activists supported her participation, while others argued that it gave her an unfair advantage over biologically female athletes.
This controversy has reignited a broader discussion about how participation rules in sports should be adjusted to ensure both equal opportunity and competitive fairness. Candace Owens, an influential voice in the conservative movement, has taken a clear stance against Thomas’ participation, arguing that it represents an injustice to biologically female athletes.
In a recent broadcast, Candace Owens expressed her outrage at what she sees as a violation of women’s rights in sports. “This is not fair, it is a complete violation of women’s rights,” Owens explained. “We have spent decades fighting for equality in sports, for women to have equal opportunities, and now we are allowing men to compete in women’s competitions under the guise of gender reassignment surgery, where they have a clear physical advantage. This has to stop now.”
Owens stressed that she does not question the right of individuals to identify as they wish, but she insists that the rules of competitive sports must be adjusted to protect the integrity of women’s sports. She also criticized sports organizations for what she sees as bowing to political correctness rather than standing up for biologically female athletes.
The case of Lia Thomas has become one of the flashpoints in this debate about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s competition. Although she has dominated several events, including NCAA championships, her success has been met with both criticism and support. Thomas’ supporters argue that her participation is a fundamental right and that the inclusion of transgender athletes is vital to equality in all areas of life, including sports.
However, a growing number of voices, including those of female athletes like Riley Gaines, an NCAA swimmer and activist, are calling for a re-evaluation of the rules. Gaines has expressed frustration with Thomas’ dominance and stressed that it is unfair for biologically female athletes to compete under conditions that appear blatantly unequal.
Candace Owens’ comments have resonated with many supporters of women’s rights and female athletes, who argue that while Thomas’ transition is personal and legitimate, it should not be turned into a competitive advantage. “Women have fought for years for a legitimate place in sports and today they are losing that place to people who are not biologically women,” one of Owens’ supporters stated on social media.
Still, Owens’ stance has met with fierce opposition. Many transgender rights advocates insist that the sport must evolve to be inclusive. “Excluding Lia Thomas from women’s competition is to deny her identity and set a dangerous precedent for transgender athletes,” said a spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ organization Sports Equality.
Candace Owens’ call to ban Lia Thomas from women’s sports comes at a critical time for sports organizations. The NCAA and other international sports organizations are currently examining the issue of inclusivity in sports and trying to balance the rights of transgender athletes with the need for fair competition.
Discussions on this issue continue to divide public opinion, and potential reforms could change the structure of sports competitions in the future. This debate also shows how sports organisations manage the complex balance between inclusivity and competitive fairness.
Candace Owens has brought into focus a deeply rooted problem in modern society: the balance between inclusivity and equal opportunity in sport. While voices are being raised on both sides of the debate, the issue of transgender athletes participating in women’s competitions is unlikely to go away. Sports governing bodies will likely need to find a way to balance these complex issues in the years to come.
The decisions on this issue could redefine the landscape of women’s sport and shape the future of inclusivity and fairness in competition. The future of the sport could depend on how this debate is resolved.
