Uni of Virginia swimmer hailed a heroine after coming second at NCAA final to

The college swimmer who came second to transgender athlete Lia Thomas on Thursday night has been praised as a heroine, with many on social media calling Emma Weyant the real winner.  

Weyant, 20, from Florida, races for the University of Virginia and represented Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics – winning silver in the 400-meter Individual Medley. 

She was beaten on Thursday night by Thomas, 22 – who became the first transgender athlete to win a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) swimming championship.

Her controversial victory attracted a mixed reception, with boos heard ringing out among a smattering of cheers as Thomas was handed her trophy. 

The UPenn swimmer won the 500 yard freestyle in Atlanta in a time of 4 minutes, 33.24 seconds on Thursday evening. 

Just before Lia was crowned, the crowd were notably more enthusiastic when cheering for Weyant. She swam 4:34.99.   

Lia Thomas, left, is seen on the podium on Thursday night as second placed Emma Weyant celebrates with Erica Sullivan (third) and Brooke Forde (fourth)

Weyant beams as she is applauded for her second place in Thursday’s race

Thomas, 22, is seen immediately after her historic victory – which was greeted with silence by the crowd

Weyant is seen on July 25, 2021, with her silver medal from the Tokyo Olympics

Weyant, from Florida, is seen in her most recent Instagram post. She has not spoken about the controversy around Thomas’s participation

While Thomas was given some cheers, boos could also be heard ringing out throughout the spectator stands, as she continues to face allegations that going through male puberty has given her an unfair advantage over her rivals.  

Weyant is seen at the Golden Goggle Awards for swimmers on December 7

‘I try to ignore it as much as I can, I try to focus on my swimming what I need to do to get ready for my races and I just try to block out everything else,’ said Thomas after the race, when asked by ESPN about the response. 

‘It means the world to be here, to be with two of my best friend and teammates and be able to compete.’ 

On social media, Weyant attracted widespread praise.   

‘Round of applause for Emma Weyant, the UVA swimmer who placed second in the 500y freestyle tonight, behind Lia Thomas,’ tweeted Angela Morabito, a press secretary for the Department of Education during the Trump administration. 

‘Second is the new first. #savewomenssports’

The American Principles project tweeted: ‘This is Emma Weyant from the University of Virginia. 

‘She finished in second place to Lia Thomas in the women’s 500 Free at the NCAA national championships. 

‘But she’s the true winner to all of us.’

Weyant, 20, cuts a glamorous figure on social media

Weyant in March 2021 – four months before the Olympics – posted a photo of her relaxing from training, captioned: ‘Wish you were here!’

Talk radio host Clay Travis said: ‘Congrats to Virginia freshman Emma Weyant, the woman who would have won tonight’s NCAA title in the 500 meter if women’s sports were still sane.’

Evangelical pastor Erik Reed said: ‘Here’s the name you should remember and lobby for: Emma Weyant. 

‘She’s at UVA. She finished second place, but would have been first place if people had the courage to speak up about the injustice of a MAN competing against women. 

‘Weyant’s time was a career best. #TheRealChamp’

One person photoshopped the University of Virginia’s announcement to show that it pronounced Weyant as the winner.

‘Don’t worry Virginia. I fixed it for you!’ he said.   

Thomas, whose continued wins and record-breaking performances have made her the world’s most controversial athlete, swam for three years on the university’s men’s team before transitioning in 2019.  

Thomas has undergone the required hormone treatment to meet the current rules for transgender athletes, but critics say her stunning performances prove that she still retains a considerable and unfair advantage. 

The NCAA celebrated Thomas’s victory on social media, crowning the new national champion

Thomas is seen beaming after winning the heat of the 500 yard race

Lia Thomas is seen swimming for the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday, at the NCAA championships in Atlanta, Georgia. She has become the first transgender athlete to win a NCAA final

Thomas, 22, is seen ahead of her heat on Thursday, which she also won – making her top seed for the final

‘It’s not necessarily an achievement in my mind,’ said one of Thomas’ teammates on UPenn’s Women’s Swim Team.

The teammate, who refused to give her name for fear of repercussions, told Fox News Digital that Thomas’s participation in D1-sanctioned women’s…