Recent reports have claimed that the NCAA has stripped transgender swimmer Lia Thomas of her medals, reallocating them to former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines. However, these assertions are unfounded and originate from satirical sources.
The confusion stems from a satirical article that falsely reported the NCAA’s decision to transfer Thomas’s medals to Gaines. This misinformation has been debunked by reputable fact-checking organizations. The Associated Press clarified that the NCAA has not taken any action to strip Thomas of her awards, and the results from the 2022 championships remain unchanged.
Similarly, PolitiFact confirmed that there is no evidence to support claims of the NCAA reallocating Thomas’s medals to Gaines.
It’s important to note that while the NCAA has recently updated its transgender participation policy to limit women’s competition to athletes assigned female at birth, this policy change does not retroactively affect past competitions or awards.
In summary, despite circulating rumors, there is no factual basis for the claim that Lia Thomas has been stripped of her NCAA medals or that Riley Gaines will receive them. The official records from the 2022 championships remain intact, reflecting Thomas’s achievements during that period.
