Transgender and Women’s-Rights Activists Clash as Lia Thomas Dominates Opening of NCAA Championships

Atlanta, Ga. — As expected, Lia Thomas finished first in the 500-yard freestyle prelims this morning at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. Thomas set a new record, coming in at 4:33.82 and beating Olympic swimmer Brooke Forde of Stanford. (Forde came in second place at 4:38.19.)

Both inside and outside the McAuley Aquatic Center, transgender and women’s-rights activists went head-to-head.