USA Gymnastics Reassesses Transgender Rules Amid Federal Push and Public Backlash

USA Gymnastics is reevaluating its transgender athlete policies, quietly removing online guidelines that once allowed biological males to compete in women’s categories without stringent requirements. This shift follows a broader wave of change across American sports, sparked by public sentiment and federal action.

In May, the organization scrubbed its transgender eligibility pages, signaling a reassessment to align with evolving legal and cultural landscapes. Previously, a 2020 policy had eliminated mandates for sex reassignment or hormone therapy, easing pathways for trans athletes in women’s events. Those rules are now gone, leaving questions about what’s next.

Why the change? President Donald Trump’s February 5 executive order banning trans athletes from women’s sports set a new tone. USA Fencing, already under federal scrutiny for permissive rules, is also tightening its policies. A New York Times/Ipsos survey underscores the public’s stance: 79% of Americans, including 67% of Democrats, oppose biological males competing in women’s sports.

The issue gained spotlight when Olympic icon Simone Biles clashed with conservative influencer Riley Gaines. Biles faced backlash for personal attacks on Gaines, who criticized a Minnesota high school’s transgender softball pitcher. Biles later apologized, but the feud highlighted the raw emotions fueling this debate.

Other sports bodies, like USA Track and Field, are also pivoting. USATF now aligns with World Athletics’ stricter guidelines, banning athletes who underwent male puberty from women’s events—a stark contrast to the International Olympic Committee’s more lenient stance. USA Fencing, after a high-profile protest, plans to restrict women’s categories to biological females.

Looking ahead, USA Gymnastics’ next moves could reshape Team USA’s rules by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. As the nation grapples with fairness and inclusion, the balance remains delicate.