US Olympic Committee makes major policy change as Trump targets transgender athletes

Colorado Springs, Colorado - American transgender women will no longer be able to compete in women's events at the Olympics and Paralympics after a recent policy change by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

Ahead of the LA Olympics, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee has banned transgender women from participating in women's events.
Ahead of the LA Olympics, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee has banned transgender women from participating in women's events.  © JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

A new note on the USOPC website regarding the participation of transgender athletes in sports says: "As of July 21, 2025, please refer to the USOPC athlete safety policy."

The policy update, following President Donald Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order, was added to the USOPC Athlete Safety Policy on its website as a new subsection entitled "Additional Requirements."

"The USOPC is committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport," the addition reads.

Joke of the Night for July 22, 2025: A chicken joke to make you laugh
Joke of the Day Joke of the Night for July 22, 2025: A chicken joke to make you laugh
viral videos: Viral Video of the Day for July 20, 2025: Amazon driver gets surprise invite to backyard barbecue
Viral Video of the Day Viral Video of the Day for July 20, 2025: Amazon driver gets surprise invite to backyard barbecue

"The USOPC will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities... to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201 (Trump's order) and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act."

The Stevens Act, adopted in 1988, provides a means of handling eligibility disputes for Olympic sports and other amateur events.

A memo to Team USA from USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland and president Gene Sykes on Tuesday obtained by ABC News and ESPN made reference to Trump's February executive order, saying: "As a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations."

Trump takes aim at transgender athletes

Donald Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order seeks to bar transgender women from participating in sports that correspond with their gender identity.
Donald Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order seeks to bar transgender women from participating in sports that correspond with their gender identity.  © REUTERS

Trump's executive order threatens to remove federal funds from any school or institution allowing transgender girls to play on girls' teams, claiming that would violate Title IX rules giving women equal sport opportunities.

The order requires immediate enforcement against institutions that deny women single-sex sports and single-sex locker rooms.

"Our revised policy emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair and safe competition environments for women," ESPN quoted the USOPC letter to governing bodies as saying.

Today's horoscope: Free daily horoscope for Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Daily Horoscope Today's horoscope: Free daily horoscope for Tuesday, July 22, 2025
viral videos: Viral Video of the Day for July 21, 2025: Toddler's pool lunch is crashed by unexpected guest!
Viral Video of the Day Viral Video of the Day for July 21, 2025: Toddler's pool lunch is crashed by unexpected guest!

"All National Governing Bodies are required to update their applicable policies in alignment."

ESPN also said the officials noted the USOPC "has engaged in a series of respectful and constructive conversations with federal officials" in the wake of Trump's executive order.

The move comes as Los Angeles awaits a host role for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) also altered its policy for transgender athlete participation to limit women's sports competitors to athletes assigned female at birth after Trump's executive order.

Cover photo: JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

More on LGBTQ+: