In fact, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee actually bans trans women from participating in women’s sports and tells the Federation responsible for swimming, track and field and other sports that are “obligated to comply” Donald Trump.
The new policy was announced on Monday, with quiet changes on the USOPC website and confirmed in a letter sent to the National Sports Governing Body, a similar step taken by the NCAA earlier this year.
Under the “USOPC Athlete Safety Policy,” the changes in the USOPC were tilted into details and referenced to the U.S. Presidential Executive Order signed in February to disengage men from the women’s sports. Among other things, the order has the potential to “revoke all funds” from organizations that allow cross-athletes to participate in women’s sports.
Since Trump signed the order, U.S. Olympic officials told national governing bodies that they need to follow: “USOPC has had a series of respectful and constructive dialogue with federal officials.”
“As a federal charter organization, we are obliged to comply with federal expectations,” USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and President Gene Sykes wrote in a letter. “Our revised policy emphasizes the importance of ensuring a fair and safe playing field for women. All national governing bodies must update their applicable policies with consistency.”
The National Women’s Law Center issued a statement condemning the move.
“By making political demands, USOPC sacrifices the needs and safety of its own athletes,” said Fatima Goss Graves, the organization’s president and CEO.
USOPC oversees approximately 50 national governing bodies, most of which play a role in everything from grassroots to elite sports level. This increases the possibility that rules may need to be changed at local sports clubs to keep their members in the NGBS.
Some of these organizations (for example, American track and field athletics) have long followed the guidelines set by their World Federation. World track and field is considering changing its policies that are primarily in line with Trump’s order.
A U.S. Swimming spokesman said the federal government has been aware of the changes in the USOPC and is consulting with the committee to figure out what changes it needs to make. The U.S. fence changed its policy that came into effect on August 1 to allow only “female sex athletes” in women’s competitions and open men’s activities to “all athletes do not qualify for the women’s category, including trans women, trans men, non-binary men, non-binary and bisexual athletes, as well as cissian athletes, and male athletes of cisgender.”
As Republicans describe the issue as a fight for sports equity, national battles against trans girls and women’s sports teams were played at the state and federal levels. More than twenty states have laws prohibiting trans women and girls from participating in certain sports competitions. Those who say these policies are discriminatory, cruel and unnecessary niche targeting athletes have blocked some policies in court.
The NCAA has changed the participation policy of trans athletes to limit competition in women’s sports to athletes assigned to women at birth. The change came the day after Trump signed a signing aimed at banning trans athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports.
Women’s qualifications are a key issue for the International Olympic Committee, and its new president, Kirsty Coventry, said efforts to “protect the women’s category.” The IOC allows various sports federations to set their own rules at the Olympics – some have taken measures on the subject.
Stricter regulations on trans athletes – women are prohibited from engaging in any person who experiences male adolescence – through swimming, cycling, track and field. Football is reviewing its eligibility rules for women and may set restrictions on testosterone.
Trump said he hopes the IOC will change everything “with this absolutely ridiculous theme.” Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics in 2028.
Health & Wellness Contributor
A wellness enthusiast and certified nutrition advisor, Meera covers everything from healthy living tips to medical breakthroughs. Her articles aim to inform and inspire readers to live better every day.
