Former UPenn Swimmers Sue UPenn, Ivy League Over Lia Thomas Records

Three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers have filed a lawsuit against UPenn, Harvard University, the NCAA, and the Ivy League, seeking to vacate the records of transgender athlete Lia Thomas. The plaintiffs, Grace Estabrook, Margot Kaczorowski, and Ellen Holmquist, allege that their experiences with Thomas on the women's team were emotionally traumatic and violated Title IX by allowing a biologically male athlete to compete against women. They claim that university officials pressured them to accept Thomas's participation and discouraged dissent, creating a culture of intimidation. The lawsuit also seeks class-action status for 206 female athletes who participated in the 2022 Ivy League Championships, arguing that Thomas’s presence compromised their opportunities and privacy. The legal action follows a broader national debate regarding transgender athletes in women's sports, coinciding with an executive order signed by President Trump. The plaintiffs assert that the Ivy League intentionally sought to normalize transgender athletes' participation in women's competitions, which they argue undermines the integrity of women's sports.