Sky News host Rita Panahi says female competitors and swim teams would send a "powerful message" by refusing to compete against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. Ms Panahi said Lia Thomas was a "mediocre swimmer in the men's team" but she is now "smashing records in the women's competition". "As I said on this program a few weeks back this craziness will not be happening if the female competitors here took charge and in unison said 'no, no more – no we will not participate in this madness one second longer'," Ms Panahi said. "One or two women speaking out won't do – they'll just be attacked and maligned as bigots by the media. "But if the whole team steps down, if all the other female swim teams refuse to compete against Thomas, then they'll send a powerful message."