ESPN broadcaster Sam Ponder expressed guidance for Paula Scanlan on Thursday night time after the former University of Pennsylvania swimmer testified in front of Congress on her encounter with Lia Thomas and her 2016 sexual assault.

Ponder was among the those who listened to Scanlan’s testimony all through a listening to on "gender-affirming treatment for minors."

"Paula you are so courageous and your voice is so significant," Ponder tweeted.

Ponder’s ESPN colleague Sage Steele co-signed Ponder’s message.

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Scanlan, who now serves as a spokesperson and adviser for the Independent Women’s Discussion board, instructed that college officers disregarded the problems of the members on the staff and told them that Thomas’ being on it was "non-negotiable."

Samantha Ponder speaks at Within the Activity Q&A introduced by IFA on Feb. 2, 2018 in Minneapolis. (Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImage)

"Once the time started, Thomas was primary the state in a number of functions, whilst only placing in the leading 500 in these events on the men's team. Thomas later on turned an NCAA champion in the 500-lawn freestyle — the to start with NCAA champion in our women's staff historical past application. Even though many of you now know this, what you do not know is the working experience of the females on the University of Pennsylvania swim team," Scanlan claimed through her opening statement. 

"My teammates and I were being compelled to undress in the presence of Lia, a 6-foot-4 tall biological male, thoroughly intact with male genitalia, 18 periods per 7 days. Some girls opted to transform in rest room stalls, and other individuals made use of the family bathroom to avoid this. When we tried out to voice our fears to the athletic department, we have been instructed that Lia’s swimming and staying in our locker area was a non-negotiable, and we have been available psychological products and services to attempt to re-educate us to become comfy with the idea of undressing in entrance of a male.

"To sum up the university's response, we the girls were the dilemma, not the victims. We have been predicted to conform, to shift more than and shut up. Our emotions didn't make a difference." 

Scanlan spoke about an op-ed she penned for the scholar paper that mentioned the scientific differences involving biological males and females only to locate out hrs following its publication, it was retracted without the need of her awareness.

Paula Scanlan, previous College of Pennsylvania swimmer, testifies in the course of the Home Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Constrained Govt listening to titled the "The Potential risks and Owing Procedure Violations of 'Gender-Affirming Care' for Little ones," in Rayburn Creating on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Connect with, Inc by way of Getty Visuals)

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"This is representative of a bigger situation — the destruction of cost-free speech. Today, any discussion protecting the sanctity of women's areas is labeled transphobic, bigoted and hateful. What is actually bigoted and hateful is discrimination in opposition to gals and the attempts to erase girls and our equal options, dignity and risk-free spaces," she reported.

An emotional Scanlan also disclosed that the circumstance surrounding Thomas’ involvement went outside of fair competitors. For her as a survivor of sexual assault, Thomas’ presence in the locker place developed a larger situation. 

"This is real. I know females who have lost roster spots and places on the podium. I know of ladies with sexual trauma who are adversely impacted by getting biological males in their locker space without the need of their consent. I know this for the reason that I am a single of these women," mentioned Scanlan. 

"I was sexually assaulted on June 3rd of 2016. I was only 16 yrs previous. I was in a position to forgive my attacker but violence in opposition to women of all ages continue to exists. Enable us not overlook the viral #MeToo movement that empowered feminine victims to talk up. It casts a spotlight on the popular prevalence of sexual assault and abuse, such as in scholarly and instructional establishments."

Paula Scanlan, previous College of Pennsylvania swimmer, testifies for the duration of the Residence Judiciary Subcommittee on Structure and Minimal Federal government hearing on gender-affirming care for kids. (Jasper Colt-Usa These days)

Scanlan competed on UPenn’s swim workforce from 2018-2019 and from 2021-2022. For the duration of her final year, ​​Thomas turned the initial transgender athlete to gain a Division I championship in any sport, profitable the 500-property freestyle in 2022.

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Thursday’s hearing was held to discuss the "dangers and thanks system violations of 'gender-affirming care'" and the part of mom and dad in all those choices. 

WHD News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.