Trump's decree bans US trans women from competing in the Olympic Games

Transgender women are no longer permitted to compete in Olympic competitions in the United States: On July 21, an updated policy went into effect that is intended to "ensure a fair and safe competitive environment for women," as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) stated on its website. The new policy follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump in February banning transgender athletes from women's sports.

New subsection in the U.S. Olympic Committee guidelines

The policy update was added as a new subsection titled "Additional Requirements" to the USOPC website. "The USOPC is committed to protecting opportunities for athletes," the addendum states. It will continue to work with various advocacy organizations "to ensure a fair and safe competition environment for women," in accordance with the U.S. President's Executive Order.

In a message from USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and President Gene Sykes, obtained by ABC News and ESPN, they stated that as a nationally recognized organization, they have an obligation to "meet the government's expectations." The USOPC's decision came as the Californian coastal metropolis of Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics .

Trump's executive order, titled "No Men in Women's Sports," would cut federal funding for schools and colleges that allow transgender girls and women to join their women's teams. Institutions that "allow men to take over women's teams or invade women's locker rooms" would be investigated, which could lead to the withdrawal of federal aid, Trump warned when signing the order in February.

Transgender people are only a small minority in the United States – but a major political issue. During last year's election campaign, Republican President Trump harshly attacked his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris for her support of transgender rights. Since returning to the White House, Trump has made the abolition of affirmative action and equal opportunity policies for transgender people one of his priorities. Transgender people, or trans people, are people who do not accept the role of male or female assigned to them based on their biological sex characteristics.