Riley Gaines Pushes NCAA to Wipe Lia Thomas’ Records Amid Title IX Debate

The University of Pennsylvania’s decision to erase all records set by former transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has sparked a heated debate about fairness in women’s sports. Thomas, who clinched the 500-yard freestyle title at the 2022 NCAA Championships with a time of 4:33.24, also secured top-10 finishes in multiple events, edging out female competitors. While UPenn has scrubbed these records from its books, the NCAA has yet to address Thomas’ national standings, leaving many to question whether the governing body will follow suit.

Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer and vocal advocate for women’s sports, is at the forefront of this fight. Gaines, who tied for fifth with Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle in 2022, is suing the NCAA, demanding they rescind Thomas’ championship finishes. “The NCAA’s inaction would be a betrayal of every female athlete who’s been denied a fair shot,” Gaines said on Dont @ Me With Dan Dakich. She’s not holding her breath, though, calling NCAA leaders “spineless” and “morally bankrupt” for their reluctance to act.

The issue gained traction after President Donald Trump’s mandate to protect women’s sports under Title IX, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warning that violators could face prosecution. Gaines supports this hardline stance, arguing that allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s categories undermines safety and fairness. “It’s not just unfair—it’s criminal,” she told WTFNewsRoom, emphasizing that university officials should be held accountable.

As the NCAA remains silent, the battle over Thomas’ records underscores a broader cultural clash over inclusion, fairness, and the future of women’s athletics. Will the NCAA step up, or will it dodge the issue like a poorly thrown dodgeball?