Lia Thomas, a former swimmer for the University of Pennsylvania men’s team, made headlines in 2022 when she began competing in women’s swimming events after undergoing hormone treatment as part of her gender transition. She quickly won several national titles, sparking a rift in the sports world, with transgender rights advocates supporting her participation while others argued that it unfairly treated biologically female athletes.

This controversy has reignited a broader debate about how sports participation rules should be adapted to ensure both equal opportunity and competitive equality. Candace Owens, an influential voice in the conservative movement, has taken a strong stance against Thomas’ participation, arguing that it constitutes an injustice to biologically female athletes.

During a recent broadcast, Candace Owens expressed her outrage at what she considered an infringement on women’s rights in sports. “This is not fair, this is a total violation of women’s rights,” Owens said. “They have spent decades fighting for equality in sports, for women to have the same opportunities, and now we are allowing men, under the guise of gender transition, to compete in women’s events where they have a clear physical sale. This must stop now.”

Owens emphasized that he did not question the right of individuals to identify as they wish, but insisted that the rules of competitive sports should be adjusted to protect the integrity of women’s sports. He also criticized sports organizations for, in his view, pandering to political correctness rather than advocating for biologically female athletes.

The case of Lia Thomas has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s competition. While she has dominated several events, including the NCAA championships, her success has been met with both criticism and support. Thomas’ supporters have argued that her participation is a fundamental right and that the inclusion of transgender athletes is vital to equal rights in all aspects of life, including sports.

However, a growing number of voices, including female athletes like Riley Gaines, a swimmer and NCAA activist, have called for a reassessment of the rules. Gaines has expressed her frustration with Thomas’s dominance, emphasizing that it is unfair for biologically female athletes to compete under conditions that seem grossly unequal.

Candace Owens’ comments resonated with many women’s rights and athletic advocates. I argue that while Thomas’ transition is personal and legitimate, it should not be seen as a competitive sellout. “Women have fought for years to have a legitimate place in sports and now they are losing that place to people who are not biologically women,” one of Owens’ supporters said on social media.

However, Owens’ stance has faced fierce opposition. Many transgender rights advocates insist that sports must evolve to be more inclusive. “Excluding Lia Thomas from women’s competitions is a denial of her identity and sets a dangerous precedent for transgender athletes,” said a spokesperson for LGBTQ+ organization Sports Equality.

Candace Owens’ call to exclude Lia Thomas from women’s sports was a critical moment for sports federations. The NCAA and other international sports organizations are currently reviewing the issue of inclusion in sports, seeking to balance the rights of transgender athletes with the need to maintain fair competition.

Debates on this topic remain divided among public opinion, and potential reforms could change the way sports competitions are structured in the future. This debate also highlights how sports organizations are navigating the complex balance between inclusion and competitive equity.

Candace Owens has managed to alleviate a deeply ingrained problem in modern society: the balance between inclusion and equality of opportunity in sports. With both sides of the debate speaking out, the issue of transgender athletes competing in women’s events is unlikely to go away. It’s likely that sports federations will need to find a way to reconcile these complex issues in the years to come.

Decisions made on this issue could redefine the landscape of women’s sports and shape the future of inclusion and equity in competition. The future of sports may depend on how this debate is resolved.