Sharron Davies warns of legal action as Lia Thomas transgender participation controversy continues

Sharron Davies has warned of a wave of legal action from “biological females” unless something was done to stop Lia Thomas and other transgender athletes racing in women’s swimming.

Britain’s 1980 Olympic 400 metres medley silver medallist the Telegraph Sport she was hopeful planned new rules by the sport’s world governing body, FINA, would prevent Thomas adding to her historic triumph at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships.

Thomas, who is transitioning from male to female and this year began competing with women after three years racing against men, on Friday became the first transgender person to win an NCAA Division I title.

Her victory in the 500-yard freestyle in Atlanta received a mixed reaction, with some spectators booing after she beat an Olympic medallist from last year’s Games, who finished third, while she appeared to be repeatedly snubbed by her fellow competitors during the event.

Her success came a day after a federal civil rights complaint was filed against the University of Pennsylvania for allowing her to race on its swimming team.

Davies said: “FINA are about to bring out some very promising new rules and the World Swimming Coaches Association are also highlighting that they want fairness for biological females.

“So, hopefully we won’t need to go to the courts. But, yes, absolutely that has to be an option.

“Sadly, I said at the start of this years ago, it might take a few high-level famous female Olympians being beaten by average trans athletes before the general public say enough is enough.

“I was trying to avoid weeks like this last one in the USA by stating the obvious outcome.

“It’s ridiculous young female swimmers have been used this way.”

Denouncing the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow individual sports to determine their own transgender policies, she added: “This is firmly at the feet of the IOC’s lack of good governance to look after the rights of female athletes. They have discriminated against biological women and girls.”