American transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s events at the Olympics and Paralympics after a major policy change by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
The new rule, which took effect on July 21, 2025, was added to the USOPC Athlete Safety Policy under a section titled “Additional Requirements.” It follows President Donald Trump’s executive order, Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.
The USOPC said the move is to ensure fair and safe competition for women, in line with federal laws and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act.
In a memo to Team USA athletes, USOPC leaders Sarah Hirshland and Gene Sykes said all sports bodies must update their policies to comply with the order, which enforces single-sex sports and locker rooms.
The decision comes as other U.S. sports organizations, including the NCAA, have also adopted rules restricting participation in women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth.
The change happens as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.
