Transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete on women’s teams at the Olympic or Paralympic level for Team USA, following a policy change by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. The shift follows a February executive order from Donald Trump called “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The order requires immediate action from federal organizations and demands states enforce single-sex participation in sports and locker rooms.
USOPC President Gene Sykes and CEO Sarah Hirshland addressed the Team USA community in a memo obtained by ABC News, stating, “As a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations.”
The updated policy doesn’t specifically mention transgender athletes by name but emphasizes a focus on ensuring “fair and safe competition environments for women.” The revised language on the USOPC website confirms that it is aligned with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act. “The USOPC is committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport,” the new policy states. “The USOPC will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders… to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment.”
The USOPC has not detailed how this policy will be enforced or whether it will apply to men’s categories. In response, USA Fencing announced changes to its eligibility guidelines. Starting August 1, transgender women, nonbinary athletes, transgender men, and intersex athletes will only compete in men’s events.
ABC News contacted the USOPC for clarification but has not received a response.
