NAIA Trans Athlete Ban: Will NCAA Make Same Promise After Lia Thomas Controversy?

Things were determined to change after South Carolina coach Dawn Staley’s comment on the transgender athletes’ participation in the college and national titles. Just a few days ago, the former Olympic champion turned legendary coach opened her arms to welcome the participation of all those “who consider themselves women”. The status quo took a swift turn from there. In the subsequent steps, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) banned the entry of transgender athletes into the women’s category in college sports under its authority. Such a step has resurrected a viable question. 

Will the NCAA follow in the same footsteps? The intercollegiate sports governing body has an active order on the ground, giving transgender athletes a similar stature as women. But things might take a sharp turn here as well because of certain arguments after the NAIA trans athlete ban. 

The NAIA trans-athlete ban might fuel the discussion 

After the ban order was imposed, the X-handle of Mario Nawfal raised the discussion regarding following the same suit in the NCAA. Eventually, the tweet showcased the face of Lia Thomas – one of the most discussed athletes, who profited from the 2022 NCAA ruling on transgender participation. As per the ruling, the NCAA’s approach is “sport-by-sport while balancing fairness, inclusion, and safety for all who compete.” The ruling dismissed the 2011 version where the onus was on “to ensure transgender student-athletes fair, respectful, and legal access to collegiate sports teams based on current medical and legal knowledge.” So it was quite visible that the medical ground was clearly absent in the 2022 dictation. On the other hand, Lia Thomas accepted her hormone replacement therapy previously. However, this has been the argument the critics have repeatedly stated. One of those critics is Kaitlyn Jenner. 

The former Olympian, Jenner, clearly mentioned her disgust about the additional physical strength of trans athletes compared to the female ones and the additional masculinizing hormone therapy often trans athletes resort to. Eventually, Jenner reposted the aforementioned tweet earlier. Furthermore, on this day, the sports raconteur showed her support under another tweet made by retired District Attorney, Jeanine Pirro, voicing for the transgender athlete ban from the NCAA’s end.

In that tweet as well, the talk revolved around the biological strength in the male bodies who are going through transgender transitioning hormones therapy. Athletes like this could always come out as the winner while participating in the women’s category. Counting on that, the guest in that tweeted clip supported NAIA’s step and demanded the NCAA take similar action. However, Kaitlyn Jenner found several more voices who also nurture the same mindset. 

Could the like-minded add some changes? 

Before the NAIA trans athlete ban, Riley Gaines vehemently chased the NCAA’s New Transgender Policy. Her steps continued criticizing the policy and all those bodies who showed support or gained an advantage because of the policy. So, recently the former Kentucky swimmer joined the dozen of college athletes in suing the NCAA for dismantling her constitutional right. Riley alleged that by allowing Leah Thomas, a transgender athlete to the 2022 National Championship, the NCAA ruptured her Title IX rights.

Eventually, in 2022, Leah Thomas won her first 500-yard free event in the women’s category after declaring herself as a transgender athlete. The argument went further deep when the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America took a dig at the NCAA for an opaque stand on the situation. Riley Gaines received further support from several legends as well. 

Read more: NCAA Trans Athlete Shuts Down Riley Gaines and Others Over Factors of ‘Inequity’: “Trans People Are Not All a Factor”

In a detailed version. British Olympic medalist Daley Thompson questioned the trans athletes’ participation in the women’s category. Echoing statements made by Martina Navratilova, he added that transgender athletes are “growing up biologically male in terms of muscular and skeletal strength”. So as per him, a new branch should be there to accommodate transgender athletes. Could it be feasible for the NCAA shortly? Only the upcoming days hold the answer. 

Also read: After Lia Thomas, Another Trans Athlete Makes Headlines Over Fresh College Record