PHILADELPHIA — The University of Pennsylvania has announced changes to its records related to transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, highlighting the impact of her participation on female athletes. This decision comes as part of a resolution to a federal civil rights investigation, which determined that the school had violated the rights of women competitors during Thomas’s historic career.
Thomas made headlines when she became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title while competing for the Ivy League university in 2022. Following an investigation by the U.S. Education Department, the university has agreed to restore individual records and titles to female swimmers who lost to Thomas. In addition, Penn will issue personalized letters of apology to those athletes who felt they were at a disadvantage.
The university updated its athletics website to reflect the altered records, now recognizing the top times in Thomas’s events held by other female competitors. A statement on the site acknowledged that Thomas competed under rules in effect during her eligibility.
University President J. Larry Jameson expressed regret over the effects of the existing policies. “While our practices were compliant with NCAA rules, we understand that some female athletes felt disadvantaged,” he stated. He emphasized the institution’s commitment to a welcoming environment for all students and clarified that Penn has adhered to NCAA and Title IX regulations throughout the years.
As part of the settlement, the university has agreed to implement measures that will prevent male athletes from participating in female programs and to adopt biological definitions of male and female in its athletic policies. This change follows the NCAA’s recent amendments to its participation policy, which now restricts women’s sports eligibility to those assigned female at birth.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon heralded the agreement as a significant win for women, affirming the department’s commitment to upholding equitable treatment in sports. She expressed hope for continued enforcement of Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs.
Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who has been a vocal critic of transgender athletes competing in women’s categories, expressed her support for the settlement on social media. She highlighted the personal impact of her experiences, including sharing a locker room with Thomas during the 2022 NCAA championships.
In February, the Education Department initiated an investigation into the university’s policies, determining in April that Penn had indeed violated federal regulations. The resolution of the case through a voluntary agreement preempted the possibility of further actions from the department, which could have included cutting federal funding for the institution.
This controversy has drawn attention to broader issues regarding transgender participation in sports across various levels, with ongoing debates about fairness and inclusion. As institutions and governing bodies work to navigate these complex dynamics, the implications of this case may resonate widely in the sports community and beyond.