UPenn swimmers considered boycotting final meet over Lia Thomas

EXCLUSIVE: ‘They’re afraid to be perceived as transphobic.’ UPenn swimmers considered boycotting final meet over transgender teammate Lia Thomas crushing records but fear backlash and jeopardizing chances of making elite Ivy League squad

Several swimmers on the University of Pennsylvania women’s team considered boycotting their final home meet of the season next week, DailyMail.com can reveal
The boycott would be in protest over the advantages of transgender teammate Lia Thomas, who has crushed records since competing on the women’s team
Thomas previously competed on the UPenn men’s swim team for three years as Will before transitioning
The swimmers ultimately decided against a boycott, for fear that it would keep them out of the Ivy League championship in February
They’ve discussed alternatives such as doing a false start or not swimming the event
A source close to the team told DailyMail.com, ‘There is a feeling among some of the girls that they should make some sort of statement’
‘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,’ a source said
A parent of a UPenn swimmer said, ‘It’s possible the swimmers may end up doing nothing because they are so afraid to be perceived as transphobic’

A group of swimmers on the University of Pennsylvania women’s team were so upset over the advantages of transgender teammate Lia Thomas they considered boycotting their final home meet of the season next week, DailyMail.com has learned.

‘They’ve been ignored by both Penn and the NCAA, and 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,’ a source close to the team of 41 women told DailyMail.com.

They’ve been discussing various possibilities for protest at the January 8 meet, wanting to express their opposition to NCAA rules that allow Thomas to compete on the women’s team after completing one year of hormonal therapy, the source said.

They ultimately decided against a boycott, for fear that it would keep them out of the Ivy League championship, where the team’s top 17 swimmers – out of a total of 41 – will compete 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 said.

Several swimmers on the University of Pennsylvania swim team considered boycotting their final home meet of the season over the advantages of transgender teammate Lia Thomas, who has crushed records since competing on the women’s team. Thomas is pictured cheering on her teammates

The swimmers ultimately decided against a boycott, for fear that it would keep them out of the Ivy League championship in February. UPenn’s Swimming and Diving team is pictured in January 2020 . Thomas is pictured in the back row, fifth from the left

A source told DailyMail.com that will be difficult because Thomas will likely blow away the competition. There’s also expectation that the crowd will react by cheering more for the second-place finisher than for Thomas, as occurred at the Zippy International

The team’s final home meet will be held at the university in downtown Philadelphia, where they’ll be competing against Dartmouth College.

It’s the first competition since earlier this month when Thomas broke two national records at the Zippy International in Akron, Ohio.

Thomas previously competed on the UPenn men’s swim team for three years as Will before transitioning

A week later, two of her teammates spoke out anonymously about their frustrations of having a transgender swimmer compete in female races after spending the first three years at Penn competing on the male team.

While the final home meet is traditionally a time tor the school to recognize seniors for their achievements, the swimmers have no illusion that the attention this year will be on Lia Thomas.

‘It’s a very emotional day and it’s supposed to be a wonderful recognition for all the seniors have accomplished over the years,’ one source told DailyMail.com. ‘These girls are still determined to make sure they get the proper recognition and that their moment is celebrated as it should be.’

Another source told DailyMail.com that will be difficult because Thomas will likely blow away the competition. There’s also expectation that the crowd will react by cheering more for the second-place finisher than for Thomas, as occurred at the Zippy International.

‘It’ll be like the last couple meets,’ that source said. ‘Lia will finish and nobody will give a sh*t. Then when the first biological female finishes, there will be a huge eruption of applause.’

How Thomas’s teammates react may be less predictable.

Some of the swimmers had discussed doing a ‘false start, or not swimming the event,’ the first source said. ‘But it wouldn’t be the whole team, so it’s an awkward situation.’

So they’ve been considering alternatives.

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

Thomas (pictured in 2016 and 2017, respectively) was a star swimmer in high school

UPenn swim team recently posted about one of Lia’s records in the 200m freestyle (pictured)

The parent said both Thomas and her coach have received anonymous death threats, and that teammates are afraid to inflame the situation. Swimmers also want to avoid clashes with other teammates, who support Thomas’ participation and are heeding the school’s advisory not to speak to the media.

How Lia Thomas’ times stack up against her bests as a male swimmer at UPenn and NCAA women’s records

Will

200m free