The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has reached an agreement with the Department of Education, effectively blocking transgender athletes from competing on female sports teams and erasing the records set by swimmer Lia Thomas, a transgender woman.
This decision comes amidst the ongoing national debate over the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports and follows the Trump administration’s push to restrict their involvement.
What Crimes or Violations Did UPenn Commit?
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights conducted an investigation into UPenn’s handling of transgender athletes, finding that the university had violated Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination at academic institutions receiving federal funds.
The department argued that UPenn allowed males to compete in women’s sports and to occupy women-only intimate facilities. As a result, UPenn has agreed to make changes to comply with the current policies under Title IX, specifically adopting biology-based definitions of male and female.
The Case of Lia Thomas
Lia Thomas, who competed on the UPenn women’s swim team, became a highly visible figure in the debate over transgender athletes. In 2022, Thomas made history as the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title in the women’s 500-yard freestyle. This win sparked significant controversy, as many critics claimed Thomas had an unfair advantage over cisgender female athletes.
However, Thomas has consistently defended her position, stating in interviews that she is a woman and, therefore, belongs on the women’s team. She emphasized the importance of inclusion, stating, “Trans people deserve that same respect every other athlete gets.”
The Impact of Trump’s Executive Orders
This development is part of the broader policies promoted by the Trump administration, which issued executive orders aimed at limiting transgender participation in women’s sports.
In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” asserting that policies to include transgender athletes in women’s sports were harmful to fairness and safety.
The executive order also extends to compliance with Title IX, requiring that women’s sports be preserved for biologically female athletes. The policy is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to restrict transgender rights, including in military service and sports.
Thomas’ Records Removed
As part of the agreement with the Department of Education, Lia Thomas’ records have been removed from the UPenn all-time women’s swimming records list.
A note at the bottom of the records document now reads: “Competing under eligibility rules in effect at the time, Lia Thomas set program records in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle during the 2021-22 season.”
UPenn President J. Larry Jameson stated, “We will review and update the Penn women’s swimming records set during that season to indicate who would now hold the records under current eligibility guidelines.”
This move has raised concerns about erasing the accomplishments of transgender athletes, particularly as the debate around inclusion vs. fairness continues to unfold.
Criticism and Lawsuits
The issue has sparked legal action as well. In February 2025, three former athletes from UPenn’s women’s swim team filed a lawsuit against the university, the Ivy League, and athletic organizations, claiming that they had violated federal law by allowing Thomas to compete against them.
The lawsuit is part of the broader trend of legal challenges aiming to limit the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Despite the controversy surrounding her record, Thomas has expressed her intention to continue swimming competitively, even though she has been banned from international competitions by the rules of World Aquatics. These rules only allow transgender athletes who have not experienced biological puberty to compete in elite events.
The Research on Transgender Athletes and Fairness
The debate over unfair advantages in sports remains heated, but research on the matter is ongoing. A 2017 review published in the peer-reviewed journal Sports Medicine found no consistent evidence that transgender athletes have an athletic advantage.
A more recent study from October 2023 suggested that any advantages related to physical attributes, such as height or limb length, are less significant for transgender women who undergo gender-affirming hormone therapy.