crowd goes wild for SECOND place winner on podium: Thomas says he ‘ignores’ criticism in post-victory interview

ATLANTA — Onlookers cheered Thursday evening as a biological man who identifies as a transgender woman annihilated female competitors in a collegiate race.

University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas clocked in at 4:33:24, finishing first in the NCAA Women’s Swimming Championship 500 yard freestyle.

The University of Virginia’s Emma Weyant, a freshman, finished second with 4 minutes 34 seconds and 99 milliseconds, dropping 2 seconds and 26 milliseconds from her previous time.

Erica Sullivan, a freshman from the University of Texas, finished third at 4 minutes, 35 seconds, and 92 milliseconds.

Sullivan and Weyant did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Daily Wire.

Thomas’ participation in female athletic events — and the NCAA’s decision to allow Thomas to do so — has sparked controversy across the nation.

One of Thomas’ teammates, who spoke to Fox News on the condition of anonymity, told the publication that the transgender swimmer’s participation in women’s athletics has “completely ruined the integrity of the sport.”