Lia Thomas, with an air of determination, stood before the press corps, her eyes filled with unwavering confidence. The room buzzed with anticipation as she proclaimed her intention to represent the national swimming women’s team. Every word from her lips carried the weight of her conviction.

“I declare that I am not just a swimmer among the many,” Lia began, her voice resonating with a sense of purpose. “I possess a fiery spirit, an unyielding drive, and an unwavering belief in my abilities. With all due respect, I am confident that I am better than anyone else on this team.”

The boldness of her statement hung in the air, stirring a mix of curiosity and skepticism among the onlookers. But Lia did not falter. She continued, her voice steady and resolute.

“I am not here solely for personal gain or individual triumph,” Lia asserted. “My goal is to bring the glory back to our beloved nation—the pride that it deserves. I want to ignite the passion in every citizen’s heart and inspire future generations to embrace the beauty of swimming.”

Her words carried a profound sincerity, her determination evident in every syllable. With unshakeable confidence, Lia painted a vivid image of triumph in the minds of all who listened. She envisioned a united nation, standing tall on the podium of prestigious swimming events, with her at the forefront.

The room, initially filled with skepticism, began to awaken to the audacious dream Lia dared to share. Slowly, expressions transformed from doubt to intrigue, from cynicism to admiration. Lia’s conviction began to resonate deep within their hearts.

As cameras clicked and questions arose from various reporters, Lia remained steadfast in her belief. She answered each inquiry with eloquence and grace, articulating her vision for herself, her team, and her country. Her words wove a tapestry of ambition, determination, and a burning desire to make a difference.

Lia Thomas, a beacon of hope and inspiration, had declared her mission to reclaim the glory for the national swimming women’s team. Though doubts and challenges surely lay ahead, Lia’s unwavering resolve left no room for uncertainty. She aimed to challenge the limits, push beyond boundaries, and excel in pursuit of a common goal—to restore honor and pride to her nation through the water’s embrace.

And so, with hearts alight with newfound hope, the country looked to Lia Thomas, poised to dive into a future full of possibilities, and eagerly awaited the waves of transformation she would create in her wake.

Transgender University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas says she hopes to swim in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials despite controversy around her success.

“I intend to keep swimming,” Thomas said in an interview broadcast Tuesday on Good Morning America. “It’s been a goal of mine to swim at Olympic trials for a very long time, and I would love to see that through.”

Thomas, who won gold in the 500-yard freestyle at the Women’s NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships in March, has been at the heart of a heated public debate about trans athletes in sport, with some (including 16 of her Penn teammates) arguing she should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports.

Thomas competed on Penn’s men’s swim team for four years before taking part in the female NCAA championships in 2022.

After graduating from Penn in May, Thomas says she plans to attend law school as well as hopefully swimming in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. “Trans women are not a threat to women’s sports,” she added.