President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, marking a tougher stance on the ongoing US sports debate. Following this order, the University of Pennsylvania announced it would strip swimmer Leah Thomas of her records and medals from the 2021-22 NCAA Championships.
Leah Thomas, who made history in 2022 as the first transgender athlete to win a gold medal in women’s swimming, previously ranked 462nd in the men’s division before transitioning. Her victory sparked controversy, with female competitors alleging discrimination.
The executive order, signed after Trump assumed office as the 47th president in January, prohibits transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports at school, college, and grassroots levels, warning of withdrawal of federal funding for non-compliance.
In early July, the University of Pennsylvania announced it would update its records to align with the new guidelines, voiding Thomas’s individual records and medals but retaining her participation in team relay events. The decision followed a settlement with the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which found the university violated Title IX, a law prohibiting gender discrimination in education.
The university issued a formal apology acknowledging the discrimination faced by some female athletes. Trump’s decision has sparked strong reactions across the sports community, reigniting debates on fairness, inclusion, and gender rights in competitive sports.
