Lia Thomas, the transgender swimmer from the University of Pennsylvania who made headlines for competing — and winning — against biologically female athletes, has now been stripped of those titles following a federal investigation led by the Trump administration.
The probe, conducted by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), concluded that the university violated Title IX protections by “allowing a male to compete in female athletic programs and occupy female-only intimate facilities.”
Thomas, who previously swam on the men’s team before transitioning, captured national attention — and sparked heated debates — during the 2021–2022 collegiate season.
Lia Thomas looks on from the podium after finishing fifth in the 200 Yard Freestyle during the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship at the McAuley Aquatic Center on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology on March 18, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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She notably won the NCAA Division I women’s 500-yard freestyle title, becoming the first known transgender athlete to secure a national championship in that category.
Critics argued that Thomas’ inclusion in women’s events posed an unfair advantage, while supporters defended her right to compete in accordance with her gender identity.
The resolution now requires the University of Pennsylvania to issue formal apologies to every biological female competitor who raced against Thomas.
University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas on the starting block for the 200 Freestyle final during the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 18th, 2022 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta Georgia.
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“Today’s resolution agreement with UPenn is yet another example of the Trump effect in action. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, UPenn has agreed both to apologize for its past Title IX violations and to ensure that women’s sports are protected at the University for future generations of female athletes,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement.
Among those speaking out was former Penn swimmer Paula Scanlan, who previously criticized the university’s handling of the situation.
U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (L) takes a question from a reporter in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on March 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, one of the largest manufacturers of semiconductor chips, plans to invest $100 billion in new manufacturing facilities in the United States.
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“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,” she stated.
As part of the UPenn’s agreement amid the investigation’s findings, the university will have to publicly announce that biological men will no longer be allowed to compete against women in female-only activities and are now prohibited from women-only locker-rooms.
University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas swims during the 200 yard freestyle during the 2022 Ivy League Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at Blodgett Pool on February 18, 2022 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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