In a strong and passionate statement, sports commentator and activist Candace Owens has called on transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete in women’s competitions, calling it a “violation of women’s rights.” The call comes amid growing controversy over Thomas’ participation in female-only events and sparks a fierce debate about inclusion and fairness in sports.
Lia Thomas, a former swimmer for 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 rift in the sports world, with transgender rights advocates supporting her participation while others argued that it unfairly treated biologically female athletes.
This controversy has reignited a broader debate about how sports participation rules should be adapted to ensure both equal opportunity and competitive equality. Candace Owens, an influential voice in the conservative movement, has taken a strong stance against Thomas’ participation, arguing that it constitutes an injustice to biologically female athletes.
During a recent broadcast, Candace Owens expressed her outrage at what she considered an infringement on women’s rights in sports. “This is not fair, this is a total violation of women’s rights,” Owens said. “They have spent decades fighting for equality in sports, for women to have the same opportunities, and now we are allowing men, under the guise of gender transition, to compete in women’s events where they have a clear physical sale. This must stop now.”
Owens emphasized that he did not question the right of individuals to identify as they wish, but insisted that the rules of competitive sports should be adjusted to protect the integrity of women’s sports. He also criticized sports organizations for, in his view, pandering to political correctness rather than advocating for biologically female athletes.
