The NCAA washed its hands of the swirling controversy surrounding transgender athletes in college athletics and will let the national gove...
The NCAA washed its hands of the swirling controversy surrounding transgender athletes in college athletics and will let the national governing bodies of each sport dictate who can compete.
Under the new guidelines, approved by the NCAA Board of Governors on Wednesday, transgender participation for each sport will be determined by the policy for the sport's national governing body, subject to review and recommendation by an NCAA committee to the Board of Governors.
NCAA rules on transgender athletes returned to the forefront when University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, 22, started smashing records this year.
She was on the men's team her first three years, but she is competing for the women this season after transitioning.
The new NCAA policy, released ahead of Thursday's official meeting of the NCAA Board of Governors, states that when there is no national governing body, that sport's international federation policy would be in place.
If there is no international federation policy, previously established IOC policy criteria would take over.
The NCAA's previous policy, adopted in 2010, was uniform across all sports and was based on hormone therapy requirements.
The NCAA, logo pictured above, has adopted a sport-by-sport approach for transgender athletes, bringing the organization in line with the US and International Olympic Committees
UPenn swim team recently posted about one of Lia's records in the 500m freestyle (pictured)
Yale swimmer Iszak Henig, who is transitioning from female to male, seen in lane four and Lia Thomas in lane two. Both swam in the 400 free relay on January 8
Thomas won the 1,650 freestyle in a record time of 15:59.71 beating her closest rival Anna Sofia Kalandaze, pictured above, by 38 seconds
Lia Thomas, 22, (pictured after transitioning) is now dominating women's college swimming records
'Approximately 80 percent of US Olympians are either current or former college athletes,' NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a release.
'This policy alignment provides consistency and further strengthens the relationship between college sports and the US Olympics.'
The NCAA policy is effective immediately, beginning with the 2022 winter championships.
The Board of Governors is suggesting NCAA divisions allow for additional eligibility if a transgender student-athlete loses eligibility based on the policy change.
That flexibility is provided they meet the NCAA's new guidelines.
'We are steadfast in our support of transgender student-athletes and the fostering of fairness across college sports,' Georgetown President John DeGioia said in a release.
'It is important that NCAA member schools, conferences and college athletes compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment and can move forward with a clear understanding of the new policy.'
Thomas, who previously spent three years competing as a man, smashed two US records while competing at a weekend contest, sparking fresh claims of unfairness.
Last month, Thomas put in an astounding performance at the Zippy Invitational Event in Akron, Ohio, that saw her finish the 1,650 yard freestyle 38 seconds ahead of her teammate Anna Sofia Kalandaze.
Thomas's winning time was 15:59:71, with her UPenn teammate Anna Kalandaze coming second with a time of 16:37:44.
Pictured: NCAA President Mark Emmert, who said 'this policy alignment provides consistency and further strengthens the relationship between college sports and the US Olympics'
This weekend, Lia Thomas won three events and set three new school records including two new Ivy League records. She is pictured setting the record at the 500 yard freestyle on December 3
Thomas (pictured in 2016 and 2017, respectively) was a star swimmer in high school
Thomas's win was a record for the Zippy Meet, and the pool where the event took place. But she also managed to smash two US women's swimming records during earlier races at the same event.
The first US record was broken on Friday, December 3, when Thomas won the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:34:06. She raced to victory 14 seconds ahead of Kalandaze - the swimmer she beat by 38 seconds on Sunday.
And then on Saturday, she won the 200 yard freestyle in 1:41:93 - seven seconds ahead of her nearest rival, giving her the fastest female US time ever for that race too.
It's the first season Thomas, who was formerly named Will, has competed in the swimming meets as a transgender woman. As Will, Thomas competed on the men's team for two full seasons.
Meanwhile, Caitlyn Jenner has called on the National Collegiate Athletic Association to immediately stop transgender athletes like University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas from competing against their biological counterparts.
Pictured: Georgetown President John DeGioia: 'we are steadfast in our support of transgender student-athletes and the fostering of fairness across college sports'
Caitlyn Jenner has said the 'woke world' is not working for women's sports and is calling on the NCAA to adjust their transgender policy for sports
Jenner, 72, said Wednesday there was no doubt in her mind that the rules need to be changed - ahead of Thursday's meeting by the NCAA Board of Governors where they are expected to review rules on transgender athletes.
'All of this woke world that we are living in right now is not working,' said Jenner, who won a gold medal as Bruce in the men's decathlon at the 1976 Montreal Olympics before transitioning to female in 2015.
'I feel sorry for the other athletes that are out there, especially at Penn or anybody she's competing against, because in the woke world, you've got to say, 'Oh, my gosh, this is great,' No, it's not.'
Writing on Twitter, Jenner stated explicitly 'biological boys should not compete against biological boys.
She then went on Fox News and said: 'We need to protect women's sports, and the NCAA needs to make the right decision tomorrow, and I think that's probably to stop this right now, rethink it.'
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