Team USA Prohibits Transgender Women from Participating in Olympic Women’s Games

USOPC revises its policy to comply with a government directive aimed at protecting single-sex sports.

Following a policy change by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, transgender women will no longer be permitted to compete for Team USA on women’s Olympic or Paralympic teams. The change is in response to Donald Trump’s executive order from February, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” States must compel single-sex participation in sports and locker rooms, and federal organizations must act immediately.

“We have an obligation to comply with federal expectations as a federally chartered organization,” USOPC President Gene Sykes and CEO Sarah Hirshland told the Team USA community in a memo obtained by ABC News.

Instead of naming transgender athletes by name, the revised policy highlights the importance of creating “fair and safe competition environments for women.” Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act are in compliance with the updated wording on the USOPC website. As to the revised policy, “The USOPC is dedicated to safeguarding opportunities for athletes who participate in sport.” “The USOPC will keep working with different stakeholders to make sure that women have a safe and equitable environment in which to compete.”

The USOPC has not specified whether or not men’s categories would be subject to this regulation or how it will be implemented. USA Fencing responded by announcing modifications to its eligibility requirements. Intersex athletes, transgender men, transgender women, and nonbinary athletes will only participate in men’s competitions as of August 1.

The USOPC was contacted by ABC News for explanation, but they have not responded.