Viewers were quick to take note of NBC show Today‘s attempt to feminize photos of controversial transgender college swimmer Lia Thomas that appeared during a discussion of the ongoing NCAA championship races.
Photos of the student-athlete on the program had been heavily filtered, removing imperfections and softening features, sparking conversation on social media.
In an episode last week, host Hoda Kotb and NBC correspondent Blayne Alexander discussed the competitions ahead for the swimmer, displaying the photos on the screen.
“Watch how giddy NBC’s ‘Today’ show is about Lia Thomas crushing the competition at the NCAA D1 women’s swimming and diving championships. Gross,” said Newsbusters managing editor Curtis Houck of the segment.
Watch how giddy NBC’s ‘Today’ show is about Lia Thomas crushing the competition at the NCAA D1 women’s swimming and diving championships.
Gross. pic.twitter.com/wJb8AWBAdK
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) March 17, 2022
One user asked how edited the photos were, to which another responded with a side-by-side of an unedited shot and the one Today displayed.
I know, right? Compare and contrast… pic.twitter.com/yQq5e5KnEY
— Sandieannie (@Sandieannie1910) March 17, 2022
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“I’m crying why did NBC Today airbrush the F*** out of this picture lmaooooo,” another viewer added.
im crying why did NBC Today airbrush the FUCK out of this picture lmaooooo pic.twitter.com/YDwuVU3Cj3
— Perfect Sweetie Pagliacci (Devilish!) (@NeoPagliacci) March 19, 2022
Former Hungarian Olympic swimmer Reka Gyorgy, a Virginia Tech student, recently claimed that Thomas stole her spot in the finals, saying “every event that transgender athletes competed in was one spot taken away from biological females throughout the meet.” Gyorgy finished 17th in the qualifying race for the finals, making her the first alternate.
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“I know you could say I had the opportunity to swim faster and make the top 16,” she added. “But this situation makes it a bit different, and I can’t help but be angry or sad.”
WOW: Virginia Tech swimmer Reka Gyorgy says her finals spot was stolen from her by Lia Thomas because of “the @NCAA‘s decision to let someone who is not a biological female to compete.” pic.twitter.com/vrtEfqZ0LW
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 20, 2022
