In an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, UFC commentator Joe Rogan and former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines broke down the controversy surrounding Lia Thomas’ historic NCAA title win in the 500-yard freestyle event.

Thomas, a transgender athlete who competes on the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s swim team, has sparked heated debate over the fairness of allowing biological males to compete against biological females in women’s sports.

Rogan and Gaines took issue with the fact that Thomas, a biological male, was able to dominate the competition, beating out elite female swimmers, including Olympic athletes and American record holders. Rogan and Gaines argued that Thomas’ physical advantages, including height, muscle mass, and lung capacity, gave him an unfair edge over his female competitors.

As Gaines recounted, “The day after he swam the 500 freestyle and won a national title, he beat out Olympians, beating out American record holders… He beat the entire nation by almost two full seconds. Even the time he went last year would have beat every girl in the country this past season by nearly two full seconds.”

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Gaines, who has spoken out about the issue before, expressed frustration at the lack of scrutiny Thomas has faced, saying, “All the women that are competing with this man, and the whole world’s like, ‘Yay, diversity and inclusion.’ But I’ll tell you really what had thrust me over the edge and to no longer being willing to lie…Ultimately, it was him, and I raced in the 200 freestyle.”

Rogan and Gaines also took umbrage with the fact that Thomas’ victory was hailed as a groundbreaking achievement for transgender athletes, rather than an unfair advantage. Rogan noted, “He’s the first man to win a Division 1 NCAA women’s title… trailblazer.” The tone was sarcastic, implying that Thomas’ win was not a valid achievement, given the unfair physical advantages he possessed.

The controversy surrounding Thomas’ win raises important questions about the fairness and integrity of women’s sports. While proponents of transgender inclusion argue that allowing biological males to compete as women promotes diversity and inclusivity, critics argue that it creates an unfair playing field.

In a world where athletic competitions are often measured in hundredths of a second, one second can be a significant advantage. It’s time to take a closer look at the rules governing transgender athletes and ensure that women’s sports remain a level playing field for all competitors.