Gene Sykes
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has revised its athlete safety policy to comply with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, which bars transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
In an update issued this week, the USOPC said it would, “continue to collaborate with stakeholders with oversight responsibilities, including the IOC, IPC, and national governing bodies, to ensure a fair and safe competition environment for women, consistent with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act.”
USOPC President, Gene Sykes, and CEO, Sarah Hirshland, referenced the order in a memo to the Team USA community, citing the organisation’s obligation to “comply with federal expectations” as a federally chartered body, ABC News reported. The committee did not respond to requests for additional comment.
Trump’s order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports”, was signed in February and directs federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and State Department, to enforce a nationwide ban on transgender girls and women competing in female sports. It also calls for denying visas to transgender women seeking to compete in the U.S. and instructs the State Department to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to revise its inclusive policies.
The policy is expected to impact a small number of athletes. NCAA officials recently told a Senate panel that fewer than 10 transgender athletes currently compete among the 530,000 students across its 1,100 member schools. Trump has also stated he would prohibit transgender athletes from competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Supporters argue the order protects fairness in women’s sports, while critics say it violates the rights of a marginalised minority.