1 month ago
36
Donald Trump has revealed that there will be 'strong forms of testing' as part of his clamp down on transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
Trump signed the executive order to ban trans athletes from women's sports back in February - with the United States set to host the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
It took many months but, in July, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee reportedly complied with Trump's demand in a major breakthrough for the President.
Now, Trump has revealed testing plans over the matter. He was asked: 'Will the Department of Justice consider pressing charges against any man that tries to masquerade as a woman coming into this country to beat up American athletes? Would you consider genetic testing so these people can prove they're women?'
Trump responded: 'I think there is going to be a very strong form of testing. As far as charges, I'd have to ask the Attorney General about that.
'But there will be a very, very strong form of testing. And if the test doesn't come out appropriately, they won't be in the Olympics'.
The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee has reportedly complied with Trump's order
Back in May, the president threatened to pull federal funding in California if the state did not follow the order, before suing its Department of Education when they refused to do so.
The lawsuit filed by the Justice Department said California’s trans athlete stance violated Title IX, the federal law that bans discrimination in education based on sex.
The department also claimed the state's policies 'are not only illegal and unfair but also demeaning, signaling to girls that their opportunities and achievements are secondary to accommodating boys.'
US Attorney General Pam Bondi warned other states that allow trans girls to compete in female athletics that they could also face challenges by the federal government.
Last year's Paris Olympics was marred by controversy after Imane Khelif - a boxer from Algeria - was allowed to fight against women in the welterweight category despite intense scrutiny over her gender.
Khelif went all the way and captured gold in the French capital, which sparked outrage given she was thrown out of the world championship in 2023 after allegedly failing gender eligibility tests.
USA Fencing recently posted a new policy for trans athletes that will take effect on August 1. The governing body, which came under fire earlier this year after a female fencer was disqualified for refusing to face a trans opponent, will now restric trans women to only competing in the men's category.
More to follow...
