Former Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday rejected the championship of NCAA Division I transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, saying the winner was University of Virginia swimmer Emma Weyant. Speaking at the University of Virginia during an event hosted by the Young America’s Foundation, Pence sided with Wayne, a runner-up in the University of Pennsylvania, in the 500-yard freestyle women’s race. The outcome of the fight has become a popular cause among conservatives who are strongly against trans athletes participating in sports for their schools. When a student in the audience lamented that the “tradition of excellence” of the university had recently been “raised by the Left Awakening,” Pence was then asked what he would say to Wyand, whom the student claimed had been “robbed of a medal.” “Thank you so much for this thoughtful question. Emma Weyant won this fight,” Pence said. He continued: “I know that in his speech on the state of the Union, President [Joe] “Biden has vowed to defend the God-given right of men to compete in women’s sports.” Since taking office, Biden has spoken out and supported the rights of LGBTQ Americans and recognized last month’s Trans Vision Day. Laughter broke out in the audience after Pence’s statement. “Common sense must prevail, and it will prevail. Women’s sports are a path to achievement and excellence,” said the former vice president. He added: “I expect that there are some great athletes in the room today – maybe some are looking at it. And we have to defend the integrity of women’s sports in America for the benefit of women everywhere.” Pence’s comments reflect those of Florida Gov. Ron DeSadis – who is running for re-election this fall and has become one of the most recognizable potential Republican candidates for the 2024 presidency in the country. DeSantis last month refused to confirm Thomas’s victory and issued a statement saying Weyant – a Florida native – was the real winner. “I am determined that men should not compete with women like Emma Weyant, stealing from women and girls achievements, awards and scholarships,” she wrote, calling Thomas “a man who identifies as a woman.” Former President Donald Trump has also sparked Republican outrage over the issue in recent days, arguing that Republican control of Congress in 2023 would mean that conservative issues would take precedence in the national dialogue amid a possible reunion. former President and Biden. “By the way, we will not have men participating in women’s sports,” Trump said during a rally in North Carolina on Saturday, in a rallying cry for his supporters in recent months. Pence is also rumored to be considering his own presidential bid for 2024, which would put him on the right track against his former boss – and possibly De Sandis.
