The US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), has officially updated its gender eligibility policy on Thursday, banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
The decision, which takes effect immediately, comes just a day after US President Donald Trump signed the “No men in women’s sports” executive order. The new rule states that “a student-athlete assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team,” though biological females are still allowed to participate in men’s sports.
Taking the matter to the social media platform X, Trump wrote, “Exciting news! Due to my Executive Order, which I proudly signed yesterday, the NCAA has officially changed their policy of allowing men in Women’s Sports – It is now banned! This is a great day for women and girls across our Country. Men should have never been allowed to compete against women in the first place, but I am proud to be the President to save Women’s Sports. We expect the Olympic Committee to also use Common Sense, and implement this policy, which is very popular among the American People, and the entire World!”
According to Fox News, this move marks a significant shift from the NCAA’s previous policy, which had been in place since 2010. The old rules allowed transgender women to compete in women’s sports after completing at least one year of testosterone suppression. The new policy aligns with Trump’s executive order, which seeks to establish a uniform standard nationwide rather than leaving the issue to individual states or governing bodies.
NCAA President Charlie Baker responded to the executive order, saying it provides much-needed clarity amid a “patchwork of conflicting state laws and court decisions.” The New York Times quoted Baker as saying, “We strongly believe that clear, consistent, and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today’s student-athletes.”
The issue of transgender participation in women’s sports has sparked significant controversy and legal battles. As per Fox News, former NCAA swimmer and conservative activist Riley Gaines is leading a lawsuit against the organisation over her experience competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 national championships.
Several other female athletes have also filed lawsuits, alleging unfair competition and discomfort in shared locker rooms.
Additionally, the department of education (DOE) has launched investigations into potential Title IX violations at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and San Jose State University, as reported by Fox News.
At San Jose State, transgender volleyball player Blaire Fleming played three seasons on the women’s team, allegedly without other players being informed about Fleming’s birth sex. Eleven Mountain West volleyball players and a former assistant coach have since sued the university.
Recently, a New York Times/Ipsos poll found that 79% of Americans, including 67% of Democrats, opposed allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports.
