The University of Pennsylvania has decided to bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. This decision follows pressure from the Trump administration and a recent federal investigation into the university’s policies. The agreement was announced on a Tuesday and specifically addresses concerns raised about swimmer Lia Thomas, a trans woman who gained national attention for her achievements in collegiate swimming.
Lia Thomas, who transitioned in 2018, made headlines in 2022 when she became the first trans athlete to win a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I title. During her time at UPenn, she set multiple records in women’s swimming events, including the 100-meter and 500-meter freestyle. Her participation sparked a national debate on fairness in sports, with supporters celebrating her inclusion and critics, including some of her own teammates, arguing it undermined women’s rights.
UPenn’s president, Larry Jameson, acknowledged that some female athletes felt disadvantaged by the NCAA rules that allowed Thomas to compete. In March, the NCAA revised its eligibility criteria to limit participation in women’s events to those assigned female at birth. This change came after an executive order from Trump that threatened funding for schools allowing trans girls and women to compete.
In a statement, Jameson expressed regret for the impact of these policies on student athletes and committed to apologizing to those who felt disadvantaged. The university will also update its swimming records to reflect current eligibility guidelines. Following this announcement, UPenn removed Thomas from its official records, clarifying that her achievements were made under the previous rules.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights had previously determined that UPenn violated Title IX by allowing trans women to compete in women’s sports. Education Secretary Linda McMahon hailed the agreement as a significant win for women and girls, emphasizing the Department’s commitment to enforcing Title IX.
This decision at UPenn is part of a broader trend in the U.S. and around the world to restrict transgender participation in sports. Recent polls indicate a growing public sentiment against allowing trans women to compete in women’s events. In a January survey, 79% of Americans supported barring trans women from female sports, a rise from 62% in 2021.