Risch, GOP lawmakers demand Olympic committee comply with Trump order to ban trans athletes in women’s sports
In a recent development, more than two dozen Senate and House Republicans are calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to align its policies with President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at protecting the opportunities of female athletes on the Olympic stage. This exclusive information was obtained by Fox News Digital.
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, along with over two dozen Republican lawmakers, have penned a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach. The letter, which was exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital, emphasizes the need for increased protection of the rights of female athletes to fair and safe competition.
The letter highlights the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the importance of honoring female Olympians who have inspired generations of young women around the world. The lawmakers stress the critical need for the IOC to base eligibility for women’s athletic competitions on biological sex, as allowing biological males to compete in women’s categories undermines fair competition, safety, and respect for female athletes.
President Trump’s executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” in February affirmed the U.S.’s commitment to preserving fairness, safety, and equal opportunity for female athletes. The lawmakers urge the IOC to reaffirm its commitment to upholding the integrity of women’s Olympic competitions and ensure that only biological women and girls are allowed to compete in female sports categories.
The letter also calls on the next IOC president to defend the rights of dedicated female athletes and preserve the fundamental principles of fair competition. GOP Senators and Representatives have joined forces in support of this critical issue, including Senators Mike Crapo, Lindsey Graham, and Josh Hawley, as well as Representatives Dan Crenshaw, Lauren Boebert, and Mark Green, among others.
In response to the IOC’s revised policy recommendations for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the lawmakers stress the importance of fostering gender equality and inclusion while establishing policies that prioritize fairness and non-discrimination. The IOC’s previous policies on transgender athlete participation have evolved over the years, with the latest framework emphasizing principles such as prevention of harm, fairness, and bodily autonomy.
President Trump has vowed that his executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in girls and women’s sports will apply to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tasked with enforcing the policy. The IOC has yet to respond to these demands from Republican lawmakers.
In conclusion, the letter from Senate and House Republicans underscores the importance of protecting the rights of female athletes and ensuring fair competition on the Olympic stage. With the 2028 Summer Olympics on the horizon, the lawmakers are calling on the IOC to align its policies with President Trump’s executive order and prioritize the integrity of women’s sports.
