The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has updated its gender policies to comply with President Trump’s executive order barring men from competing in women’s sports.
While the committee’s 27-page updated “Athletic Safety Policy,” does not mention “transgender” athletes, it includes language saying it will comply with Trump’s order, EO 14201.
“The USOPC will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities, e.g., IOC, IPC, NGBs, to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act,” the document says.
According to NBC News, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland and President Gene Sykes acknowledged the update in a letter to the Team USA community.
“As a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations,” they said. “The guidance we’ve received aligns with the Ted Stevens Act, reinforcing our mandated responsibility to promote athlete safety and competitive fairness.”
The updated policy “emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair and safe competition environments for women,” with all national governing bodies required to update their policies to align with the updated guidelines, they added.
The National Women’s Law Center was quick to denounce the committee’s move. “Without any process or clarity about its decision, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has let Trump rewrite its rules in a cruel effort to deny transgender women the opportunity to participate,” said a press release from the group.