Trump Urges IOC Ban on Transgender Athletes
Trump Administration Pressures IOC Ahead of 2028 Olympics
President Donald Trump is ramping up his efforts against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to amend its rules before the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. During the signing of an executive order on Wednesday, Trump stated that he wants the IOC to “change everything regarding the Olympics and this absolutely ridiculous subject.”
An Executive Order Redefining Female Athlete Eligibility
The executive order grants the Secretary of State the authority to pressure the IOC into modifying participation criteria for women’s competitions, basing eligibility on biological sex rather than gender identity or testosterone reduction. The stated goal is to ensure “fairness, safety, and the best interests of female athletes.”
Measures Affecting Entry to the U.S.
Additionally, the order directs the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to review and potentially adjust policies regarding the admission of male athletes seeking to compete in women’s sports in the U.S. However, there is no evidence that male athletes have participated in women’s Olympic events.
Reactions and the IOC’s Position
Current IOC President Thomas Bach stated in December that the organization was “very confident” it could work with the Trump administration. Trump had initially supported Los Angeles’ bid for the 2024 Games, which were ultimately awarded to Paris.
The LA28 organizing committee has yet to respond to inquiries on the matter. However, its chairman, Casey Wasserman, reportedly met with Trump in Florida last month, later stating that both were committed to delivering a successful Olympic Games.
Read also : Executive Order on Transgender Athletes
Toward a Unified Policy on Transgender Athletes ?
So far, the IOC has refrained from direct intervention on transgender athlete participation, allowing individual international sports federations to set their own guidelines. As a result, policies vary significantly: World Aquatics enforces strict regulations, while World Triathlon takes a more lenient approach.
This stance could shift significantly with Bach’s departure. One of the candidates to succeed him is Sebastian Coe, former track star and current president of World Athletics, who has been vocal about restricting female sports participation to cisgender women.
Background and Ongoing Controversy
In 2022, World Athletics under Coe banned transgender athletes from international women’s competitions, aligning with swimming’s regulations. Additionally, certain athletes must now undergo hormone-suppressing treatment for six months before being eligible to compete.
The debate intensified during the Paris 2024 Olympics, with Trump actively fueling the controversy. While campaigning, he falsely claimed that two Olympic female boxers were men, despite the fact that Imane Khelif (Algeria) and Li Yu-ting (Taiwan) were assigned female at birth and identify as women.
How Much Influence Can the U.S. Exert on the IOC ?
By signing this executive order, the Trump administration aims to rally international support for a standardized IOC policy. The extent of U.S. influence on this matter remains uncertain, but the move could spark momentum among global sports federations toward stricter regulations.
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