Leadership from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is exploring genetic testing related to gender as a means to protect women’s sports from biological male trans athletes, a move that has drawn support from President Trump’s administration. The White House’s response followed comments made by USOPC officials at a recent press conference, in which they praised Trump’s executive order aimed at excluding men from competing in women’s sports while mentioning the possibility of genetic testing for U.S. teams.
White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly emphasized to Fox News Digital the importance of preventing men from participating in women’s sports for the safety of female athletes and the integrity of high-level competition. She noted that this stance aligns with a significant majority of public opinion and suggested that the implementation of these measures at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics would ensure fairness.
Dr. Jonathan Finoff, USOPC’s Chief Medical Officer, mentioned that while the genetic SRY test used by various sports organizations is not widely used in the U.S., they are considering making it available for their teams. He noted that their goal is to help athletes find appropriate testing facilities and options.
Gene Sykes, Chair of the USOPC Board, remarked that the executive order from President Trump reflects existing international trends regarding the participation of male athletes in women’s sports and expresses hope that these changes could guide the future of global sports.
Trump himself had previously addressed the potential for robust testing measures ahead of the 2028 Olympics, indicating something substantial could emerge from the discussions.
Additionally, the USOPC has updated its athlete safety policies to comply with Trump’s order from late July banning men from women’s events. This indicates a commitment to maintaining a fair and safe environment for female athletes in line with the new policy.
Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), also discussed the need to protect women’s categories from male participation, emphasizing the importance of a scientific approach in these conversations. She suggested that the IOC may take cues from policies established by World Athletics, which restrict male athletes from competing in women’s sports post-puberty.
A recent presentation at a World Athletics Committee meeting highlighted an alarming trend, revealing that since 2000, between 50 to 60 male athletes have reached the finals in women’s divisions at major championships. This prompted discussions about the over-representation of certain athletes and the implications for female competitors.
Moreover, a United Nations report indicated that many biological women feel they have lost out on podium finishes due to competing against trans athletes, emphasizing the impact this has on opportunities in women’s sports.
The data compiled noted that over 600 athletes didn’t secure medals in numerous events and that the trend toward mixed-gender categories has increasingly sidelined female athletes from their competitive opportunities.
