Multi-gold medalist Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps received backlash for suggesting the inclusion of trans athletes in competitive sports should be an "even playing field" to be considered fair.
Phelps holds the distinction of being the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, with 23 of them being gold. Phelps height and build were competitive advantages that allowed him to dominate.
Apparently an even playing field only applies when Phelps isn't the one with an advantage.
The 36-year-old made the comment during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour in response to the University of Pennsylvania controversy surrounding transgender swimmer, Lia Thomas.
Asked about Transgender UPenn Swimmer, Michael Phelps Calls for \u2018Level Playing Field\u2019 https://dlvr.it/SHLrN2\u00a0pic.twitter.com/dxWvK0t5qi— Jairo Rodriguez (@Jairo Rodriguez) 1642522266
Thomas has dominated college swimming competitions this season after previously competing on the men's team for three years.
But her successes sparked criticism for trans athletes being allowed to compete as their gender.
Michael Phelps talking about a "even playing field" in competitive swimming because a trans woman is competing in college sports as if he isn't a celebrated Olympian because he has a slew of genetic abnormalities that give him a distinct edge over his competitors.— \ud83d\udeac\ud83d\udc10 Chris (@\ud83d\udeac\ud83d\udc10 Chris) 1642478028
"I think this leads back to the organizing committees again," Phelps told Amanpour in Thursday's interview, adding:
"Because it has to be a level playing field. I think that's something that we all need."
"Because that’s what sports are and for me, I don’t know where this is going to go. I don’t know what’s going to happen."
Reacting to ongoing debate over trans college athlete Lia Thomas competing on the women\u2019s swimming team, \u201cit\u2019s very complicated,\u201d says @MichaelPhelps. \u201cWe all should feel comfortable with who we are in our own skin. But I think sports should be played on an even playing field.\u201dpic.twitter.com/brsq7t2vJW— Christiane Amanpour (@Christiane Amanpour) 1642099658
He continued repeating his argument of a "level playing field."
“I don’t know where this is going to go, I don’t know what’s going to happen."
“I believe we all should feel comfortable with who we are in our own skin, but I think sports should be played on an even playing field.”
According to The Telegraph, which reported on Phelps being a biomechanical marvel, the former Olympian is 6'4 tall, has a 6’7″ wingspan, and has flipper-like size 14 feet with double-jointed ankles that allow him to jet-propel through the water.
'but he's cheating because he's had top surgery!' yeah and? michael phelps has feet like flippers and produces 40% less lactic acid than his competitors. it's just his body. also, LOL that you all just want trans people to compete against each other EXCEPT NOT LIKE THAThttps://twitter.com/restlessfall/status/1480122921565798401\u00a0\u2026— t4t geraskefer (@t4t geraskefer) 1641798229
His physical advantage was also not lost on Pink News, which noted the athlete was blessed "by the swimming gods."
Researchers have also found Phelps produces half the lactic acid of other swimmers, which gives him an extra boost of stamina when competing.
Given his genetic advantages made him a force to be reckoned with in the water, Phelps was accused of being hypocritical in his argument sports need to be an "even playing field."
People also mocked him for his cryptic response when they argued the topic wasn't as complicated as he made it out to be.
michael phelps trying to say it\u2019s complicated when it comes to a trans woman in swimming cause it has to be fair when he was born with the perfect genetics for a swimmer which allowed him to dominate in the sport for years is so funny to me— matt murdock\u2019s top surgery scars (@matt murdock\u2019s top surgery scars) 1642519821
Michael is clearly too afraid to say what he really wants to say— The Alba Witch \ud83e\uddd9\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\ud83e\udd95 (@The Alba Witch \ud83e\uddd9\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\ud83e\udd95) 1642460244
There is simply no limit to ignorance.— ChanceConnections (@ChanceConnections) 1642540659
Thomas will be competing in the Ivy League championships next month.
She is already qualified to compete in the NCAA championships coming up in March.
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