UPenn Swimmers Considered Boycotting Their Last Meet Due to Transgender Athlete’s Advantages

According to reports, a number of UPenn swimmers considered skipping their final home meet because of transgender athlete Lia Thomas’ advantages, but opted against it for fear of being barred from the Ivy League championship.

Despite breaking several records for the University of Pennsylvania this season, Thomas, 22, has sparked outrage for taking testosterone suppressants for one year prior to qualifying under NCAA rules to swim in women‘s collegiate events.

The Daily Mail reports that a source close to the team of 41 women who participated in the boycott said “they’ve been ignored by both Penn and the NCAA.”

The source told the outlet that “there is a feeling among some of the girls that they should make some sort of statement, seize the opportunity while they have a spotlight on them to make their feelings about the issue known.”

The swimming team considered boycotting their Jan. 8 meet against Dartmouth, but decided against it for fear of losing their spot in the Ivy League championship in February.

“Knowing they do not have backing from the school or NCAA, they’re reluctant to jeopardize their opportunity to make the elite Ivy League squad,” the source told outlet.

According to other reports, the dispute will almost certainly take center stage at the Jan. 8 event, which is normally a moment for seniors to bask in the spotlight.

“It’s a very emotional day and it’s supposed to be a wonderful recognition for all the seniors have accomplished over the years,” a source told the outlet.

“These girls are still determined to make sure they get the proper recognition and that their moment is celebrated as it should be,” the source added.

One of the swimmers‘ parents suggested protesting in another way.

“If it were me, I’d step up with a sign on my chest stating something like, ‘NCAA – Speak up. We need answers,’” they told the Daily Mail. “But it’s possible the swimmers may end up doing nothing because they are so afraid to be perceived as transphobic.”