“Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!” – Psalm 106:3
In 2022, Lia Thomas, who is a biological male but “identifies” as a transgender female, won an NCAA women’s swimming championship in the 500m freestyle by utterly dominating the female competition and stealing the championship from them. One of the female swimmers who was forced to compete against Thomas in 2022, unfairly, was Riley Gaines, who has become a leading advocate for protecting female athletes and women’s sports.
Days ago, in a notable move, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), where Thomas was on the women’s swimming team, revealed plans to right this wrong and to reinstate sanity at the university. UPenn plans to rescind the medals awarded to Thomas in 2022, as they never belonged to him in the first place.
This significant move by UPenn follows an agreement that has been made between the Trump Administration and the university. Part of the agreement reads that UPenn is to, “Restore to female athletes all individual UPenn Division I swimming records, titles, or similar recognitions which were misappropriated by male athletes allowed to compete in female categories; Issue a public statement to the University community stating that it will comply with Title IX, specifying that UPenn will not allow males to compete in female athletic programs or occupy Penn Athletics female intimate facilities; Send a personalized letter of apology to each impacted female swimmer;” and more.
UPenn President J. Larry Jameson stated, “While Penn’s policies during the 2021-2022 swim season were in accordance with NCAA eligibility rules at the time, we acknowledge that some student-athletes were disadvantaged by these rules. We recognize this and will apologize to those who experienced a competitive disadvantage or experienced anxiety because of the policies in effect at the time.” This is a huge win for female athletes across the nation, and praise be to God, the wave of momentum sweeping across the country right now is one that is reinstating sanity at least on this front.
LET US PRAY…
Father, thank You for the Trump Administration’s firm commitment to protect female athletes and women’s sports. Lord, we praise You for this decision by UPenn to correct the wrong of allowing a biological male to steal medals, records, and more from female athletes. Father, we are thankful for the momentum sweeping our nation to protect women’s sports. Help us to continue to point people to the truth of your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
