The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has barred transgender women from competing in female categories for Olympic and Paralympic representation, officials announced Tuesday evening in response to federal mandates.
This sweeping policy change stems from President Donald Trump's February executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which requires immediate compliance from organizations that previously permitted transgender participation in women's athletics. USOPC President Gene Sykes and CEO Sarah Hirshland informed the Team USA community Tuesday that "as a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations."
The committee oversees the selection, training support, and competitive representation of the American Olympic and Paralympic teams, while advancing athletic development nationwide. Updated athlete safety protocols, which avoid explicit "transgender" terminology, declare, "Our revised policy emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair and safe competition environments for women."
USOPC released an official statement: "The USOPC is committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport. The USOPC will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities, e.g., IOC, IPC, NGBs, to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act." The 1998 Ted Stevens legislation establishes procedures for resolving eligibility conflicts in American Olympic and amateur sports competitions. The current policy revision omits specific implementation procedures or clarification regarding men's competitive categories.
USA Fencing has already modified its gender eligibility standards following the broader policy shift. Beginning August 1, transgender women, non-binary competitors, transgender men, and intersex athletes may participate exclusively in men's divisions.
