UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas facing title revocation as university accedes to Trump administration

Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who had previously won titles at the University of Pennsylvania, will have those titles taken away following pressure from the Trump administration. The administration pushed the school to award the titles to competitors who were biologically female.

As a result of an investigation by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), UPenn will also be issuing formal apologies to all female competitors who were disadvantaged by competing against a biological male. The OCR found that UPenn had violated Title IX by allowing a male to participate in female athletic programs and use female-only facilities.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon praised the resolution agreement with UPenn, attributing it to the impact of the Trump administration. McMahon highlighted that UPenn will now apologize for past Title IX breaches and take steps to safeguard women’s sports for future generations of female athletes.

The resolution agreement signed by the university will require it to undertake a host of additional actions, including adopting “biology-based definitions for ‘male’ and ‘female’ under Title IX” and issuing a public statement that it will no longer allow biological men to compete in female athletic programs or occupy women-only locker rooms.

The decision was cheered by athletes who were affected by the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports in recent years.

“As a former UPenn swimmer who had to compete against and share a locker room with a male athlete, I am deeply grateful to the Trump Administration for refusing to back down on protecting women and girls and restoring our rightful accolades. I am also pleased that my alma mater has finally agreed to take not only the lawful path, but the honorable one,” said Paula Scanlan, former University of Pennsylvania swimmer.

Riley Gains, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who has been outspoken on the issue, said, “It is my hope that today demonstrates to educational institutions that they will no longer be allowed to trample upon women’s civil rights, and renews hope in every female athlete that their country’s highest leadership will not relent until they have the dignity, safety, and fairness they deserve.”