The US Olympic and Paralympic committee, aligning with an executive order by Donald Trump, has effectively barred transgender women from participating in women’s sports. This new policy, confirmed in a letter to national sport governing bodies, follows a similar move by the NCAA earlier this year.
The committee specified under its Athlete Safety Policy that organizations must adhere to the president’s executive order, which threatens to withhold funds from those allowing trans athletes in women’s sports. This could necessitate policy changes at local sports clubs to maintain affiliation with National Governing Bodies (NGBs).
The National Women’s Law Center criticizes the move, arguing it compromises the safety and needs of athletes. Some governing bodies, such as USA Track and Field, have traditionally followed guidelines from their international federations. World Athletics is currently considering policy changes that would largely align with Trump’s order.
The nationwide debate over trans athletes in sports has led to legislative action at both the state and federal levels, with over two dozen states enacting laws to exclude trans women and girls from certain sports. These policies have faced legal challenges, with opponents arguing they are discriminatory.
The NCAA recently adopted a policy limiting trans athletes in women’s sports, and the International Olympic Committee, under new president Kirsty Coventry, has emphasized the need to protect the female category. International sports federations like those for swimming, cycling, and track and field have adopted stricter rules, and soccer is reviewing its eligibility criteria, potentially setting limits on testosterone levels.
Trump has pushed for the IOC to revise its stance on transgender athletes, and the upcoming 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles adds pressure for policy changes.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/22/us-olympics-paralympics-trans-women
