Mar 17, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Penn Quakers swimmer Lia Thomas holds a trophy after finishing first in the 500 free at the NCAA Womens Swimming & Diving Championships at Georgia Tech. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The University of Pennsylvania has made a controversial announcement regarding Lia Thomas’ swimming records.

Per reports, the school has agreed to ban transgenders from competing on its women’s sports teams, which brings an end to a federal civil rights investigation prompted by Thomas’ exploits.

It also marks a voluntary resolution with the U.S. Department of Education following accusations of a Title IX violation that allowed Thomas to compete in women’s swimming despite being a biological male.

The agreement will see the restoration of records and titles to female athletes who lost to Thomas, while they will also receive personalized apology letters, according to OutKick, which first broke the news.

“UPenn will adopt definitions for male and female consistent with biological sex; restore stolen records and titles to female athletes; and, issue personal apologies to each impacted female swimmer,” a statement reads.

Agreement Didn’t Offer Clarity On Whether Lia Thomas Will Lose Award

Lia Thomas (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lia Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title in 2022, triggering a years-long debate over fairness in women’s sports.

As to whether Thomas will be stripped of NCAA awards is still unknown.

Meanwhile, the NCAA has not responded to the Department’s request to have its national record books updated.