In a significant policy reversal, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has agreed to revoke the swimming records and titles of transgender athlete Lia Thomas. This decision follows a federal civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, which concluded that UPenn violated Title IX by allowing Thomas, a transgender woman, to compete on the women’s swim team during the 2021–2022 season.
Thomas made history in 2022 as the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title. However, the federal government threatened to withhold $175 million in funding unless the university barred transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. In response, UPenn agreed to strip Thomas of her titles and records, reassigning them to cisgender athletes. The university also pledged to send apology letters to female athletes who previously lost to Thomas.
UPenn President J. Larry Jameson emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all students. However, he acknowledged that the university must comply with federal requirements, including executive orders and NCAA eligibility rules, to ensure fair competition in intercollegiate sports.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon hailed the agreement as a victory for women’s rights in sports, stating that it rectifies past harms and restores the proper application of Title IX.
The case has intensified the national debate over transgender participation in sports, with lawsuits from former teammates and further investigations into other institutions with inclusive trans policies.