This month began with a stunning announcement: the University of Pennsylvania stripped swimmer Lia Thomas (ne Will R. Thomas) of his awards in women’s sports.
This involved a lot of stripping on account of the numerous awards the male swimmer won in women’s competitions. He competed as a man up through 2019 but then registered as a woman in the 2021-2022, then becoming the first male-born athlete to win a women’s Division 1 title. Thomas easily set records in the women’s 100, 200, and 500 freestyle races and went on to win a national title in the 500 freestyle. All these awards are supposed to now go away (though some ambiguity remains and the NCAA title remains intact), with apologies issued to those races’ competitors. It is a little late for them in their careers, honestly. But it is still a dramatic reversal for the sport.
photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
At the time, three years ago, I offered a reflection, which I later expanded and applied in my book on transgenderism, Across the Kitchen Table, on what could have happened if UPenn and the NCAA leadership had exercised real leadership in these young peoples’ lives. Unfortunately, even the UPenn President’s July 1 statement made it about submitting to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights’ ruling that the school violated Title IX legislation. While apologizing for creating a “competitive disadvantage,” and “anxiety,” it is clear that they are checking a box for the executive orders of the present U.S. administration. They missed another opportunity to commit to the development of women and men. What is good for the growth and security of the women on the swim team? What is good for the maturing of such a young man?
Even so, I consider this reversal a reprieve for Mr. Thomas. It stings but in a way that could cause helpful reflection. He has the chance to consider his way. Perhaps my idea for a better life direction could become more attractive to him now.
Let’s hope that the ban from women’s sports of men who feel that they should be women does this very thing for others in his situation.