The Trump administration has set its sights on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), urging the organization to implement a uniform policy on transgender athletes. The move, announced by President Donald Trump during a ceremony for an executive order signing, aims to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. This is in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics scheduled to be held in Los Angeles.
President Trump's executive order directs the Secretary of State to urge the IOC to reassess existing sports regulations, emphasizing the importance of fairness and safety for female athletes. The order explicitly states that eligibility for women's sports should be determined by biological sex rather than gender identity or any form of testosterone reduction.
Additionally, the order calls for the Secretary of State and the Department of Homeland Security to review immigration policies related to male athletes seeking to compete in women's sports in the United States. As of yet, there is no documented evidence of male athletes competing in women's events in the Olympic Games.
The outgoing President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, expressed confidence that his organization could work with the Trump administration on these matters. The connection between Los Angeles and Trump dates back to his previous term when he supported the city's bid for the 2024 Olympics, ultimately awarded to Paris.
Representatives from the LA28 organizing committee have yet to comment on the executive order. However, sources indicate that LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman recently met with Trump in Florida to discuss the upcoming games, focusing on ensuring a successful event.
Traditionally, the IOC has left the decision-making concerning transgender athletes to the international governing bodies of each sport. This has resulted in a wide range of rules—some, like World Aquatics, enforce stringent regulations, while others, such as World Triathlon, apply more inclusive guidelines.
With Thomas Bach's impending retirement, the IOC’s stance may shift significantly under new leadership. Among the potential successors is Sebastian Coe, a former track star and current leader of World Athletics, who is known for advocating gender restrictions in female sports to cisgender women only.
Two years ago, under Coe's leadership, World Athletics mirrored swimming's approach by banning transgender athletes from international competitions unless hormone suppression treatments were undertaken for at least six months prior to competing.
The discourse concerning transgender athletes intensified during the Paris Olympics. Trump often interjected, notably misgendering two female boxers and questioning their participation, claiming it was demeaning to women. Yet, both athletes were female at birth and identify as such. Trump's executive order signifies a potential shift in how the United States intends to influence international sports policies.
Moving forward, the question remains about the leverage the Trump administration holds to sway the IOC's decision-making. Given the contentious nature surrounding this issue, this executive order might spearhead a movement among global sports organizations to secure a consistent standard on transgender athletes' participation in women's sports.
