Candace Owens Calls for Lia Thomas to Be Banned from Women’s Sports, Claims “Physical Cheating Is Unforgivable”

In a fiery segment on live TV, conservative commentator Candace Owens demanded that transgender swimmer Lia Thomas be permanently banned from competing in women’s sports, describing it as “physical cheating” that is “unforgivable.”

Owens, known for her outspoken views on gender and transgender issues, criticized the inclusion of Thomas in women’s competitions, arguing that it undermines fairness and biological distinctions in sports. “There’s no place for this in women’s athletics. This is cheating, plain and simple,” Owens stated, referring to Thomas’s transition from male to female and subsequent success in women’s swimming.

Thomas, who made headlines as the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national title in 2022, has sparked a nationwide debate on transgender athletes’ eligibility in gender-segregated sports. Owens, who has consistently voiced opposition to transgender athletes in women’s sports, doubled down on her stance, calling for strict policies to prevent future participation from those who transition after puberty.

“Physical cheating is unforgivable. It’s not a matter of being ‘inclusive’; it’s a matter of ensuring that the integrity of women’s sports is preserved,” Owens continued. “We can’t allow men to compete against women simply because they say they identify as women.”

Her comments ignited further debate across social media and news outlets, with many supporting her viewpoint, while others decried it as transphobic and discriminatory. The discussion over fair competition and transgender rights in sports remains a deeply divisive issue, drawing attention from lawmakers, sports organizations, and advocates on both sides.

Lia Thomas has yet to respond directly to Owens’ remarks, but the controversy surrounding her participation in women’s sports continues to fuel ongoing conversations about the future of transgender athletes in competitive environments.