In a moment that some are calling a turning point in the national debate over athletics and gender, former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines declared she felt “vindicated” after the University of Pennsylvania agreed to restrict women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth as part of a deal with the Trump administration. Speaking with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, Gaines described the decision as “surreal”—even joking, “It feels like pigs are flying.”

A Decade-Long Debate Reaches a New Chapter

The announcement comes after years of heated discussion about fairness, inclusion, and the future of women’s sports. The University of Pennsylvania, which found itself at the center of controversy in 2022 when swimmer Lia Thomas—a transgender woman—won an NCAA championship, has now agreed to a policy change that will keep “biologically male athletes” out of women’s competitions. The move is part of a legal settlement reached with the Trump administration, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

For Gaines, who competed against Thomas and has since become a prominent advocate for women’s sports, the news marks a dramatic reversal. “I never thought I’d see the day,” Gaines told Ingraham. “For so long, we were told this was settled, that anyone who raised concerns was just being exclusionary. Now, it’s like the world has turned upside down.”

A Polarizing Issue, a Personal Story

Gaines’s story is emblematic of a wider national conversation. As a decorated swimmer at the University of Kentucky, she shared the pool with Thomas during the 2022 NCAA championships. The experience, she says, left her convinced that a new approach was needed. “This isn’t about hate or discrimination,” Gaines explained. “It’s about fairness. It’s about making sure women have a level playing field.”

Her comments have resonated with some athletes and parents who worry that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports could undermine opportunities for female athletes. Others, however, argue that such policies are discriminatory and harmful to transgender youth.

What’s in the Deal?

Details of the agreement between UPenn and the Trump administration have not been fully released, but university officials confirmed that women’s sports teams will be limited to athletes who are “biologically female.” The policy applies to all NCAA-sanctioned women’s sports at the university.

A statement from the university said, “UPenn remains committed to supporting all students, including those who are transgender, but we also recognize the need to ensure fairness in women’s athletic competition.”

The Trump campaign, which has made gender and sports a key issue in the 2024 campaign, praised the agreement. “This is a win for women’s sports and for common sense,” a spokesperson said.

Reactions Across the Spectrum

The policy shift has sparked strong reactions across the political and cultural landscape. Supporters of the new rule argue that it restores fairness and integrity to women’s sports. “This is about protecting the opportunities Title IX was meant to create,” said Gaines. “Girls and women deserve to know that when they step onto the field or into the pool, they’re competing against other females.”

Critics, however, say the policy is a step backward for inclusion and could further marginalize transgender students. “This kind of blanket ban sends a harmful message,” said a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign. “Transgender women are women, and they deserve the same opportunities as everyone else.”

Some legal experts predict the issue could end up before the Supreme Court, as challenges to similar policies are already making their way through the courts in several states.

The Broader Context

The debate over transgender participation in sports has become one of the most contentious issues in American education and athletics. More than 20 states have passed laws restricting transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ and women’s sports, while others have moved to protect transgender students’ rights.

The Biden administration has taken a different approach, issuing guidance under Title IX that interprets discrimination “on the basis of sex” to include gender identity. That guidance is currently the subject of multiple lawsuits.

For universities like UPenn, the challenge has been balancing competing legal, ethical, and practical considerations. “We want to be fair to all our students,” said one university official who asked not to be named. “But we also have to comply with the law and with NCAA regulations. There’s no easy answer.”

Riley Gaines: From Athlete to Advocate

For Riley Gaines, the fight is personal. After finishing her NCAA career, she became a leading voice in the movement to preserve single-sex sports for women. Her testimony before Congress and appearances on national television have made her both a hero to supporters and a lightning rod for critics.

“I never imagined I’d be in this position,” she told Ingraham. “But if standing up means my little sisters, my future daughters, and girls everywhere get a fair shot, then it’s worth it.”

Gaines says she’s received both support and backlash, but she remains undeterred. “I know what I saw. I know what I experienced. And I know what’s right.”

What’s Next?

As the dust settles on UPenn’s decision, the future of transgender participation in sports remains uncertain. The NCAA is reviewing its own policies, and other universities are watching closely.

For now, Gaines and her supporters are celebrating what they see as a hard-fought victory. “This isn’t the end of the conversation,” she said. “But for the first time in a long time, it feels like someone listened.”