US national athletics association bars trans athletes from women's competition

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Thursday revised its policy regarding transgender athletes, restricting eligibility for women's sports to athletes designated female at birth. This move follows President Donald Trump's signing of an executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The policy is effective immediately and applies to all athletes, regardless of whether they have undergone eligibility review previously.

Trump's executive order authorizes federal agencies to withhold federal funding from entities that do not adhere to the Trump administration's view of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, interpreting "sex" as the sex assigned at birth. NCAA President Charlie Baker stated, "We believe that clear, consistent, and enforceable eligibility standards best serve college athletes today, rather than various conflicting state laws and court rulings." He added, "To that end, President Trump's order provides a clear national standard."

Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines welcomed the NCAA's decision, having been an active advocate for banning transgender athletes from women's sports. Gaines, who attended the White House signing ceremony with Trump, was one of over a dozen college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA last year, alleging that the NCAA violated their Title IX rights by allowing transgender woman Lia Thomas to compete in the 2022 national championships. Shortly after the NCAA announced the policy change, Gaines posted on X, stating, "I simply cannot describe how reassuring it is to know that no other girl will have to experience what my teammates and I experienced."

The previous NCAA policy, which went into effect in 2022, adopted a sport-by-sport approach, with transgender athlete eligibility determined by the policy of the sport's national governing body. In sports without a national governing body, the policy of that sport's international federation would be used. If there was no international federation policy, the previously determined International Olympic Committee policy standards would be used. However, over the past year, transgender athletes have come under attack from critics who argue that it is unfair and potentially unsafe for transgender athletes to compete in women's sports. Despite the very small number of transgender athletes—Baker stated last year that he only knew of 10 transgender athletes in the NCAA—the issue became a major talking point in Trump's campaign for reelection.

The NCAA's revised policy allows athletes designated male at birth to train with women's teams and receive benefits such as healthcare. For example, it is not uncommon for women's basketball teams to train with male students. Regardless of sex assigned at birth or gender identity, athletes can train and compete with men's teams as long as they meet all other NCAA eligibility requirements. However, the NCAA stated that athletes designated female at birth who have begun hormone therapy (e.g., testosterone) may train with women's teams but cannot compete on women's teams, or they will jeopardize the team's eligibility for championship events. Member schools remain responsible for certifying athletes' eligibility for training and competition.

The NCAA also stated that schools should comply with local, state, and federal laws, which take precedence over NCAA rules. Hours before the NCAA announced the policy change, the Trump administration said it was investigating potential civil rights violations at two universities and one high school athletic association that allow transgender athletes to compete on women's teams. The Department of Education stated that it had launched reviews of San Jose State University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. San Jose State University's women's volleyball team became the focus of news reports last season over unproven allegations that its roster included a transgender player. As for the University of Pennsylvania, three of Thomas' former teammates sued the NCAA, the Ivy League, Harvard University, and the school this week, alleging that Thomas' participation in league and national championships violated Title IX.

Nevada volleyball captain Sia Liliu said she was "ecstatic" about the new NCAA policy, as her team refused to play San Jose State University this season. Liliu said, "Women have fought long and hard for equal opportunities in athletics. By removing males completely from women's sports, we are returning to the true definition of Title IX. Women have the opportunity to defend their sport and shine on a fair playing field." The NCAA also stated that its Board of Governors has directed staff to help all member schools foster respectful and inclusive cultures of college sports, noting recent updates to mental health guidance.

Baker said, "The updated policy, combined with these resources, fulfills the NCAA's constitutional commitment to provide intercollegiate sports competition and protect, support, and enhance the physical and mental health of college athletes. This national standard brings much-needed clarity as we modernize college sports for today's college athletes." The NCAA's policy now aligns with the policy of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, which governs athletics at 241 small colleges nationwide. Last April, the NAIA unanimously passed a policy that only allows athletes whose sex was assigned as female at birth and who have not begun hormone therapy to compete.