UPenn Removes Lia Thomas Records After Title IX Violation Ruling

The University of Pennsylvania has removed transgender swimmer Lia Thomas from several official women’s swimming records following a federal Title IX investigation that found the university violated the law by allowing a male-born athlete to compete in female categories without adequate safeguards. The university restored records and titles to cisgender female athletes displaced by Thomas's participation but retained a footnote acknowledging Thomas's records set under the eligibility rules at the time, sparking debate on preserving her legacy despite the ruling. This action follows a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights and executive orders signed by President Donald Trump in 2025, which changed NCAA eligibility rules and federal Title IX interpretations regarding transgender athletes. UPenn President J. Larry Jameson emphasized that the university complied with NCAA and Title IX rules as they existed during Thomas’s competition but will adhere to the new federal guidelines going forward. Education Secretary Linda McMahon credited the Trump administration for enforcing policies to protect women’s sports and ensuring UPenn's compliance, including an apology to athletes disadvantaged by previous policies. The case highlights the ongoing political and legal complexities surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports and federal enforcement of Title IX protections.