Paula Scanlan, a former University of Pennsylvania swimmer, has publicly endorsed the university’s decision to strip Lia Thomas of her program records following a settlement with the Department of Education. Scanlan, who competed for Penn in the 1980s, believes the move demonstrates a level of accountability. Her comments were shared on the Fox Across America program, where she emphasized the importance of institutional integrity in collegiate athletics.
The case involving Thomas, a transgender athlete who competed in women’s events at the NCAA level, has sparked a broader debate about the eligibility criteria for transgender athletes in collegiate sports. Thomas, a former University of Pennsylvania standout, was accused of competing without meeting the required standards, which led to the university’s decision to revoke her records after a settlement with federal regulators. This decision has been seen by many as a response to mounting pressure from opponents of transgender participation in women’s sports.
Scanlan’s remarks highlight the tension between supporting athletes and upholding the integrity of collegiate sports. While some argue for the inclusion of transgender athletes based on the principle of equal opportunity, others emphasize the need to protect the competitive balance within sports. The incident has also drawn attention to the role of federal regulators in overseeing athletic equity and the potential for future disputes over similar issues in collegiate athletics.