Washington, D.C. Transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s events under Team USA’s banner at the Olympics and Paralympics, following a major policy update by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
Effective July 21, 2025, the revised policy was added to the USOPC’s Athlete Safety Policy under a new “Additional Requirements” section. The move aligns with Executive Order 14201, signed by President Donald Trump, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”
In a memo addressed to athletes, USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and President Gene Sykes said the committee is obligated to enforce the new federal mandate, which enshrines single-sex sports and facilities and threatens to withhold federal funding from institutions that do not comply.
“All National Governing Bodies are required to update their applicable policies in alignment,” the USOPC stated, adding that the shift aims to ensure “a fair and safe competition environment for women.”
The policy change follows similar actions by the NCAA, which has recently restricted participation in women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth.
The USOPC said it had held “respectful and constructive conversations” with federal authorities while preparing for the implementation. The move arrives as preparations ramp up for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where policy clarity around eligibility is expected to be under close international scrutiny.
