WASHINGTON, D.C. – Independent Women recognizes the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC) decision to update its athlete safety policy, now including a section in line with President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order to keep men out of women’s sports. The quiet move marks a critical course correction ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games and sends a message to national governing bodies (NGB) and sport federations that women’s sports are for women, and women only.
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“Though details are light and much remains to be clarified, the USOPC’s quiet rollout doesn’t diminish the seismic impact. By barring male athletes from female categories, the USOPC is affirming a basic truth: sex—not self-identification—defines competition,” said Victoria Coley, vice president of communications at Independent Women. “Women took the blows and raised their voices to bring us to this moment—paving the way for a future where her game and her legacy are truly protected and celebrated.”
Coley continued, “This moment reflects leadership that refused to back down. President Trump drew a clear line in the sand, holding bad actors accountable and ending policies that sacrificed women for ideology.”
Beth Parlato, Independent Women’s Law Center senior legal advisor, added: “I commend the USOPC for taking this necessary step to preserve the integrity of female athletics. This is a victory for truth, fairness, safety, and the countless women and girls who have trained and sacrificed to earn a shot at Olympic competition. Allowing men to compete against women is not progressive, it’s regressive, and tells them that their category is up for grabs. No more. The USOPC’s new policy protects the rights of female athletes to compete on a fair and level playing field and affirms a basic truth that women’s sports must be for women.”
Throughout the 2024 Summer Olympic games in Paris, Independent Women remained a vocal proponent of keeping men out of international competitions and repeatedly called on the USOPC and International Olympic Committee to protect female athletes from competing against men.
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