The University of Pennsylvania has reached an agreement with the federal government to prevent transgender athletes from joining women’s sports teams and to remove the school records previously set by swimmer Lia Thomas. This follows a federal investigation that found the university in violation of Title IX, which bars based discrimination at institutions receiving government funding.
The decision is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to restrict the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. In February, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which mandates that schools receiving federal funds must follow a biology-based definition.
Lia Thomas, a transgender woman and UPenn graduate, made history by winning the 2022 NCAA championship in the women’s 500-yard freestyle. Thomas had earlier competed on the men’s swim team before beginning gender-affirming treatment. She set multiple school records in freestyle events during the 2021-2022 season.
In response to the federal investigation, UPenn will now update its policies to align with the Trump administration’s guidance. The school has removed Thomas’ name from its official list of women’s swimming records. A note has been added to the record list stating that Thomas competed under the rules that were in place at the time.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights said the university had violated Title IX by allowing individuals classified as male under biological definitions to participate in women’s sports and access female-only facilities.
As part of the agreement, UPenn also committed to redefining the terms “male” and “female” according to biological sex under Title IX. In a public statement, the school pledged to follow new eligibility rules and policies.
The university further said it would issue an apology to female athletes who competed against Thomas and may have experienced what it called a “competitive disadvantage” or “emotional distress” during that time.
President J. Larry Jameson stated the school would remain in compliance with federal guidance and update its records accordingly. He also noted that the school had previously followed NCAA policy on transgender athletes and would continue to follow the new standards.
In March, the White House suspended $175 million in federal funds tied to UPenn’s handling of transgender participation in sports. It remains uncertain whether those funds will be reinstated.
Meanwhile, Thomas continues to be at the center of the national debate on fairness and inclusion in athletics. In 2022, she became the first known transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title. Her performance sparked lawsuits, protests, and calls for stricter regulations.
Three former UPenn female swimmers have sued the university and athletics organizations, claiming they were harmed by having to compete against a transgender athlete. Thomas has not commented on the legal action.
Thomas, who started transitioning in 2018, said she delayed coming out due to fears it would end her swimming career. She once said in an interview that she identifies as a woman and deserves the same respect as any athlete.
Although she hoped to continue competing after college, World Aquatics rules now bar transgender women who have undergone male puberty from entering elite competitions. The Court of Arbitration for Sport recently upheld this restriction, making Thomas ineligible for events like the 2024 Olympics.
Debate continues over whether transgender athletes have an advantage. A 2017 study in Sports Medicine found no solid evidence to prove consistent performance benefits. A later review from 2023 noted that while puberty can create physical differences, many are reduced through hormone therapy.
Despite differing views, the federal government’s new policies aim to set clear eligibility rules. A White House spokesperson stated that protecting fairness, privacy, and safety in women’s sports is now a legal priority. The Trump administration’s interpretation of Title IX asserts that if schools offer women’s sports, those programs must be reserved for biological females.
UPenn’s agreement with the Department of Education may set a precedent for other schools nationwide as the legal landscape for transgender athletes continues to shift.
