Three years ahead of the Los Angeles Games, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has effectively barred transgender women from participating in Olympic events. The USOPC posted on its website on Monday an updated version of the “Athlete Safety Guidelines” (PDF). It states that the association will continue to cooperate with other bodies to ensure that “women have a safe and fair competitive environment” that aligns with Regulation 14201. This regulation, issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, prohibits transgender women from competing in women’s events.
The word “trans” does not appear on the 27 pages, but the language is so clear that U.S. media have described the ban as such. The USOPC reportedly sent a letter to national governing bodies stating that it has “an obligation” to obey Trump’s directive.
Trump has repeatedly attacked the rights of transgender people since the start of his second term and is currently in a dispute with the state of California over the participation of transgender women in high school competitions (TheColu.mn reported). The 79-year-old repeatedly threatens to cut funding.
Marcy Ellerton
