Leah Thomas Reflects on Her Swimming Journey
Leah Thomas, the UPenn swimmer who sparked debate over her participation in women’s sports, maintains that she has no regrets about her achievements, despite the controversy surrounding her records. After the university revoked her women’s swimming records and issued an apology to her female competitors, she expressed that she wouldn’t change a thing.
In a recent interview with WHYY, a public radio station in Pennsylvania, Thomas shared that she strives to maintain a positive outlook on swimming, even after the scandal that led to her records being erased. “When you think about what happened my senior year, it’s easy to have a negative view of swimming,” she noted, acknowledging the draining emotions that resurfaced each time she swam. “But it takes effort to focus on the joy that swimming still brings me.”
After transitioning from the men’s team to the women’s team, Thomas quickly became a record holder, garnering significant attention and scrutiny in 2021. By the end of the 2022 NCAA season, she was nominated for the “Woman of the Year” award, although she ultimately did not win.
However, circumstances changed in 2025 when policy shifts occurred under a new administration. Following new rules banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, UPenn issued an apology for her participation and started the process of removing her records.
Thomas recounted the challenges of coming out as transgender to her parents, stating it was one of the hardest moments of her journey. Yet, she believes her relationship with them has improved significantly since they first reacted negatively. “They parroted a lot of transphobic ideas, causing a lot of hurt, but they weren’t irredeemable,” she reflected. Now, she calls them her “biggest supporters.”
In her message to transgender youth, Thomas emphasized the importance of self-acceptance, sharing, “It’s easier to battle the world than to fight against yourself every day.” She hopes her experiences can inspire others to embrace their true selves. “There’s no substitute for being alive and being who you are. Sure, it’s challenging, especially for openly transgender athletes, but it’s absolutely worth it. I believe you can do it.”
