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WATCH: Virginia Tech Swimmer Speaks Out Against Lia Thomas Swimming In Women’s Event, Says Teammate Brought To Tears

   DailyWire.com
Lia Thomas looks on after winning the 500 Yard Freestyle during the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming & Diving Championship at the McAuley Aquatic Center on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology on March 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mike Comer/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

One Virginia Tech swimmer spoke out publicly this week after a teammate was crushed by the “inclusion” of biologically male transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who handily took first place in the NCAA Women’s Swimming Championship 500 yard freestyle on Thursday.

“It’s a common conception that we are all very disappointed and frustrated with someone who has capabilities more than us women have,” the swimmer told Rapid Fire’s Savanah Hernandez, according to Outkick. “To be able to compete at this level and take opportunities away from other women.”

The female competitor was wearing a sticker that reads, “Say no to males competing as females.”

“I’ve got a teammate who did not make the final today because she was just bumped out of finals,” the collegiate swimmer revealed. “It’s heartbreaking to see someone who went through puberty as a male and has the body of a male be able to absolutely blow away the competition.”

“You go into it with the mindset that you don’t have a chance,” she continued. “It’s hard to compete against someone with the aerobic capacity, the muscle development, the body of a man. It’s hard; it’s hard to think about it like that. … It’s disappointing to see and frustrating.”

One of her teammates was brought to tears after she came in 17th place, missing the finals by one place, because of Thomas’ “inclusion.”

“She was very emotional, and it’s hard to see because it’s her last NCAAs; she really loves that race, and it was just heartbreaking that she put all of her efforts into it today … one of the best times that’s she went in a morning session and still not make it back,” the swimmer described. “It’s hard to see someone who works every day and every night still not be able to compete against someone like that.”

WATCH:

Following the win, Thomas spoke to a reporter from ESPN, discussing the “spotlight” the swimmer is under, The Daily Wire reported:

“Lia, how did that performance measure up to your expectations coming into this meet tonight?” the reported asked Thomas.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of expectations for this meet, I was just happy to be here, trying to race and compete as best as I could,” Thomas answered.

“You’ve undoubtedly been under the spotlight over the past few months, how have you been dealing with that, and reasoning with everything?” the reporter followed up.

“I try to ignore it as much as a I can,” Thomas said, “I try to focus on my swimming, what I need to do to get ready for my races, and just try to block out everything else.”

“What did that race mean to you?” the reporter asked.

“It means the world to be here, be with my two best friends and teammates, and be able to compete,” Thomas ended the interview.

Related: ‘This Was A South Park Episode’: Social Media Erupts After Lia Thomas Crushes Female Competitors At NCAA Tourney

Related: WATCH: Lia Thomas Does Interview With ESPN After Crushing Biological Women In NCAA Championships

Related: Mom Speaks Out In Explosive Video Over Trans Swimmer Lia Thomas: ‘A Full-Grown Male’ ‘Taking’ From Women

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