Science of Sport Spotlight 1: Lia Thomas loses case against World Aquatics

The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Today we introduce the Science of Sport Spotlight, a category of podcast that we intend to use to round up all the big sports stories with a sports science angle, and then share those insights with you. Today, we discuss the news that transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has lost a case brought against World Aquatics' transgender guidelines at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. But it's not entirely as it seems - the case was dismissed because Thomas is not eligible to bring the case as Thomas is no longer a member of US Swimming. In this Spotlight episode, Professor Ross Tucker explains why that is frustrating for World Aquatics and other sports, and why the Thomas case would have made an interesting test in the court.

Notes:

• Sean ingle's article on the decision
• The research paper by Senefeld that analysis Thomas' performance changes with testosterone suppression, alluded to in the show
• Another research paper, on which I am a co-author, which explains why the IOC Guideline on the trans issue is so misguided
• Patrons only: The discourse thread that mentions the Ultra cycling race won by a trans woman this past weekend

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