Several members of the UPenn women’s diving and swimming team voiced their support for transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in a statement, following multiple reports — reportedly from teammates — condemning Thomas’ participation on the team. 
&#8220;We want to express our full support for Lia in her transition,&#8221; the athletes said. &#8220;We value her as a person, teammate, and friend. The sentiments put forward by an anonymous member of our team are not representative of the feelings, values, and opinions of the entire Penn team, composed of 39 women with diverse backgrounds.&#8221;
According to ESPN, the statement was not signed but a spokesperson for UPenn said the statement “represented &#8216;several’ members of the team.” 
&#8220;We recognize this is a matter of great controversy and are doing our best to navigate it while still focusing on doing our best in the pool and classroom,&#8221; the statement continued. 
Thomas — formerly known as Will Thomas — swam for the men’s swimming team for three years before joining the women’s program this year. 
In November, Thomas smashed the record in the 200 and the second-fastest 500 freestyle events, with both times breaking UPenn program records. Thomas later won the 1650 free by a whopping 38 seconds, the 500 free by 12 seconds, and the 200 free by seven seconds. 
Thomas’ participation in women’s athletics has drawn the ire of many who see Thomas’ massive victories as unfair, which includes at least two of Thomas&#8217; UPenn teammates. 
As reported by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lia-thomas-teammate-upenn-might-sue-anyone-barring-thomas-from-ncaa-championship">The Daily Wire</a>, the UPenn administration might sue anyone who attempts to stop Thomas from swimming in the NCAA women’s swimming championship, with the Ivy League Championships scheduled for Feb. 16-18. 
“I have a feeling that if USA Swimming changes their rules, they will be filing a lawsuit for Lia to swim, but they wouldn’t do that for us,” Thomas’ teammate <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/lia-thomas-penn-swimming-teammate-interview">told</a> Fox News. 
“They’re just proving, once again, that they don’t actually care about their women athletes,” she continued. “They say that they care and that they’re here for our emotions, but why do we have to be gracious losers? … Who are you to tell me that I shouldn’t want to win because I do want to win. I’m swimming. I’m dedicating more than 20 hours a week to the sport.”
She added, “Obviously, I want to win. You can’t just tell me I should be happy with second place. I’m not. And these people in Penn’s administrative department who just think that women should just roll over — it’s disturbing, and it’s reminiscent of the 1970s when they were fighting for Title IX and stuff like that. They don’t actually care about women at all.”
Thomas’ teammate discussed the inherent physical advantages that Thomas possesses, saying that a year of hormone treatment does not change that fact. 
“It’s not just the difference between two girls and how one might have slightly larger lungs and that gives them a slight advantage … These are monumental advantages that biological males just develop through puberty, and it’s not something that a year of [hormone treatments] can suppress because they still have all the muscle mass they had from the last 20 years,” she said. 
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to sports@dailywire.com.

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

‘Several’ Members Of UPenn Swimming, Diving Team Voice Support For Lia Thomas

CONTINUE READING

Vin Scully, Hall Of Fame Dodgers Announcer Of 67 Years, Dead At 94

WATCH: Madison Bumgarner Held Back By Teammates After Bizarre Ejection

‘People On Fox News Talk About Athletes That Way’: Host’s Draymond Green Comments Set Off ESPN Analyst

Jacksonville Jaguars Owner Rips Urban Meyer, Says He Lost Respect

WATCH: Touching Gesture Leads To Viral Moment For Young Yankees Fan

‘Dillon Brooks Broke The Code’: Warriors Head Coach Incensed After ‘Dirty’ Play

News

Lia Thomas

Transgender

Transgender Athletes

University of Pennsylvania

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

‘Several’ Members Of UPenn Swimming, Diving Team Voice Support For Lia Thomas