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The USA Volleyball (USAV) has adjusted its gender eligibility policy to comply with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, which aims to prevent transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports.
The updated policy dictates that all USAV members must compete according to the gender assigned at birth on their birth certificate during all USAV-sanctioned events or activities.
USA Volleyball has implemented the new policy immediately. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
This change effectively prohibits transgender athletes from competing in response to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), which recently updated its guidelines to require national sports governing bodies to adhere to the president’s executive order.
“As a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations,” stated USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and President Gene Sykes. “Our revised policy stresses the importance of maintaining fair and safe competition environments for women. All National Governing Bodies are mandated to align their policies accordingly.”
Following the guidance from USOPC, USA Fencing was one of the first organizations to announce changes to its gender eligibility policy. USA Volleyball (USAV) followed suit, stating that the modification ensures compliance with federal law.
The previous gender eligibility policy for the 2024-2025 season allowed transgender athletes to compete in USAV-sanctioned events under specific criteria. However, the latest policy change strictly enforces participation according to the gender on the original birth certificate.
A volleyball player from the United States wearing a team jacket. (Kaelin Mendez/Getty Images)
The new policy change by USAV imposes strict limitations on athletes participating in events that correspond with the gender specified on their original birth certificate. The policy applies to all USAV-sanctioned events in the United States.
USAV’s new policy is a response to the updated guidance from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. (Getty Images)
The “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order, signed by the president on Feb. 5, has prompted various sports governing bodies to comply with federal regulations. The NCAA was among the first to announce policy adjustments following the order, and the University of Pennsylvania also made changes after a thorough investigation. Additionally, at least 24 states have enacted laws prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
