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Martina Navratilova Says An ‘Asterisk’ Should Be Next To Trans Swimmer Lia Thomas’ Name

Martina Navratilova has said that an 'asterisk' should be next to trans swimmer Lia Thomas' name. 
Credit: Penn Athletics & Alamy

Martina Navratilova has said that an ‘asterisk’ should be next to trans swimmer Lia Thomas’ name. 

The tennis legend made the comment on News Nation, which aired on March 17, after the American swimmer won the women’s 500 yard NCAA championship.

Navratilova, who was one of the first sportswomen to be openly gay, slammed the national organisation in her interview, saying: “It’s not about excluding transgender women from winning ever. But it is about not allowing them to win when they were not anywhere near winning as men.

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“But right now, the rules are what they are. Maybe put an asterisk there, if she starts breaking records left and right.”

The 65-year-old then suggested that the NCAA introduce a category where just biological women compete against each other, with there also being an ‘open category’ for everyone else.

“But the solution perhaps for now is to swim in a lane; you can compete but you don’t get the medal,” she explained.

Navratilova went on to say that people now don’t like saying ‘biological female,’ adding: “You try to keep it as close as possible to what it would have been, were you born in the female biological body in the first place.

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“And even saying that people take exception to – biological female. People don’t even want to use those words.

“I don’t know what else to say. Other than that.”

After winning the women’s 500 yard NCAA championship, Thomas was interviewed by ESPN.

When asked about the controversy surrounding her, she reportedly commented: “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.

“It means the world to be here, to be with two of my best friend and teammates and be able to compete.”

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Written by Editorial