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Penn to Work With NCAA to Support Transgender Athlete Lia Thomas's Participation at Upcoming Swim Championship

Penn Athletics told ESPN's Katie Barnes Thursday it would work with the NCAA in support of swimmer Lia Thomas as it pertains to Thomas's participation at the 2022 NCAA swimming and diving championships in Atlanta in March.

Thomas, a transgender woman and senior at the school, has posted some of the NCAA's top times in the women's 200-yard, 500-yard and 1,650-yard freestyle events and has qualified for the NCAA championships in all three.

“Penn Athletics is aware of the NCAA's new transgender participation policy,” the school said in a statement to ESPN. “In support of our student-athlete, Lia Thomas, we will work with the NCAA regarding her participation under the newly adopted standards for the 2022 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship.