Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas will be stripped of her collegiate titles after the University of Pennsylvania agreed to a sweeping policy overhaul under pressure from the Trump administration.
The Ivy League school will also issue formal apologies to female athletes who competed against Thomas, following a federal investigation that concluded UPenn had violated Title IX protections.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found the university in breach of federal law by “allowing a male to compete in female athletic programs and occupy female-only intimate facilities,” according to the report.
“Today’s agreement with UPenn is yet another example of the Trump effect in action,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the university has acknowledged its past Title IX violations and committed to safeguarding women’s sports for generations to come.”
As part of the resolution agreement, UPenn will now adopt “biology-based definitions for ‘male’ and ‘female’” in its athletic policies and commit to barring transgender women from competing in female sports or using women-only locker rooms. A public statement affirming this change is also required.
The decision was met with strong reactions from athletes impacted by the inclusion of transgender competitors in women’s sports.
Paula Scanlan, a former UPenn swimmer and vocal critic of Thomas’ participation, praised the outcome.
“As someone who had to compete against and share a locker room with a male athlete, I’m grateful to the Trump administration for standing firm on protecting fairness and restoring our rightful accolades,” Scanlan said.
Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who has become a prominent advocate for women’s sports, added, “This sends a clear message to educational institutions: women’s civil rights are not negotiable. Today’s action offers renewed hope that dignity, fairness, and safety will once again be prioritized for every female athlete.”
The university has not yet commented publicly on the resolution.
