The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has officially prohibited transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports categories.
This move comes after months of intense public debate on the issue. The updated Athlete Safety Policy, quietly published on the USOPC’s website in a document dated last month, outlines the new restrictions without any formal announcement.
According to the update, the USOPC will continue to work with other organizations — including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) — to uphold fair and safe competition for female athletes. The policy aligns with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act.
Executive Order 14201, signed in February by President Donald Trump, is titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” It argues that allowing transgender women to compete in female categories undermines fairness, safety, and equal opportunity for biological women and girls.
The order declares that male participation in women’s sports is “demeaning, unfair, and dangerous” and sets a national stance against it on the grounds of fairness and truth.
It remains unclear whether the new policy will be implemented before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
To date, no transgender athlete has won an Olympic medal while competing in a women’s category.
USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and President Gene Sykes confirmed the policy change in a letter, stating that, as a federally recognized body, the USOPC must adhere to federal directives.