Tue Jul 01 20:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has reached a resolution with the U.S. Department of Education, under the Trump administration’s direction, to ensure biological male transgender athletes do not compete in women’s sports, following a Title IX investigation sparked by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas competing on the women’s team. UPenn will apologize for past Title IX violations. This development is hailed as a victory for women’s sports advocates and is seen as a turning point in the national debate. The issue is believed to have influenced the 2024 election, with polls showing it was an important factor for many voters.
**News Article:**
**UPenn Agrees to Resolution Protecting Women’s Sports After Lia Thomas Controversy**
**PHILADELPHIA, PA -** The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to protect women’s sports, preventing biological male transgender athletes from competing on women’s teams. The resolution follows a Title IX investigation launched after transgender swimmer Lia Thomas competed for the women’s team during the 2021-22 season.
The Department of Education, under the guidance of the Trump administration, announced the agreement Tuesday, stating UPenn will apologize for past Title IX violations.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, UPenn has agreed both to apologize for its past Title IX violations and to ensure that women’s sports are protected at the University for future generations of female athletes,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
The controversy surrounding Lia Thomas gained national attention and sparked a debate about fairness and inclusion in sports. Riley Gaines, who famously tied with Thomas for fifth place at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, has become a prominent advocate for protecting women’s sports.
Former UPenn swimmer Paula Scanlan, who was among the first to speak out, praised the resolution. “I am deeply grateful to the Trump administration for standing firm in protecting women and girls and restoring our rightful accolades,” Scanlan told Fox News Digital. “Today marks a momentous step toward repairing the past mistreatment of female athletes and forging a future where sex discrimination no longer limits girls’ potential.”
Three other former UPenn swimmers have also filed a lawsuit against the university seeking to have Thomas’s accolades withdrawn and redistributed.
The Thomas saga is largely considered a turning point in the national debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports. Gaines has suggested the controversy may have influenced the 2024 election. “I believe he handed us the election,” Gaines said, referring to Thomas.
A national exit poll found that a significant percentage of moderate voters considered Trump’s opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports an important issue.
Fox News Digital has reached out to UPenn and Thomas’s representative for comment.
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