WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Burgess Owens (R-UT) and Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) sent a letter demanding the International Olympic Committee (IOC) align its policies with President Trump’s Executive Order and safeguard the opportunities of female athletes on the Olympic stage.
The IOC is scheduled to meet the week of March 17th to elect its next president and discuss upcoming games, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif.
“The world’s top female athletes have trained their entire lives for a fair shot at Olympic glory—the IOC should stand with women and defend their ability to compete,” said Rep. Owens. “Allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports destroys competitive integrity, puts female athletes at risk, and erases decades of progress. President Trump has made it clear: women’s sports must be protected. It’s time for the IOC to do the same.”
In the letter, Owens and Risch write:
“In the United States, we honor our female Olympians. These athletes, and so many others, have inspired generations of young women around the world to compete and excel. Their legacy underscores the vital importance of fairness in women’s sports at every level of competition. Future Olympians are counting on the IOC to protect the opportunities of women and girls to contribute to this proud tradition. To do so, the IOC must base eligibility for women’s athletic competitions on biological sex. Allowing biological males to compete in women’s categories undermines competitive opportunities, safety, and respect for female athletes.”
Background
In 2021, the IOC released a “Framework on Fairness” that rolled back previous competitive safeguards, removed protections for female athletes, and failed to account for the safety risks posed in contact sports. With the IOC set to convene for the 144th IOC Session on March 18, where it will elect its next president, the letter calls on the incoming leadership to restore competitive fairness and uphold the foundational principles of women’s sports.
As the United States prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2032 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the integrity of international athletic competition is more important than ever.
The full text of the letter is available here.
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