The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee has banned trans women from competing in women’s sports, in a move that aligns with Donald Trump’s anti-trans executive order.
As reported by The New York Times, the Olympic committee “quietly changed its eligibility rules on Monday,” with a “short, vaguely worded paragraph” outlining the updated policy.
The revised policy states that the committee is “committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport” and will work with the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the national governing bodies of each Olympic sport “to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act.”
Executive Order 14201 was signed by president Trump on 5 February. It bans trans women from participating in female sports and states the US government will “rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities”.
Trump has repeatedly circulated falsehoods about the transgender community. In May, he falsely claimed that Olympic boxer Imane Khelif is trans, underscoring his lack of understanding about trans people in sports.
He previously said: “As long as I’m president, we will always protect women’s sports. Men will not play in women’s sports.
“No way. They say it’s an 80-20 issue. No, it’s a 97-3 issue, I think. No, men will not be playing in women’s sports,” Trump went on to say. “I said that, and I classified it with a very powerful executive order, as you know. It’s done.”
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has also cbanned trans women from women’s competitions. The organisation, which regulates student athletics in the US, made the announcement on 6 February, one day after US president Trump signed his executive order.
This all comes despite the fact that studies have found that trans women athletes have no advantage in elite sport.