Overview:
The U.S.E.D has urged the NCAA and NFHS to restore records and accolades to female athletes who previously competed against transgender women.
The U.S. Department of Education has called on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to restore records, titles, awards, and recognitions to female athletes who previously competed against transgender women.
In a letter sent by the Department’s Office of General Counsel (OGC), federal officials urged the organizations to retroactively adjust athletic records, aligning with recent policy changes restricting transgender women’s participation in women’s sports. The letter follows the NCAA’s decision to revise its policies to prohibit transgender women from competing in female sports divisions.
“Because of President Trump’s bold leadership, men will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s sports regardless of how they identify, and the NCAA has correctly changed its tune on its discriminatory practices against female athletes,” said Candice Jackson, Deputy General Counsel. She added that restoring records would be a step toward recognizing the accomplishments of female athletes who she says were previously overlooked.
Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who has been an outspoken advocate on the issue, voiced her support for the Department’s action. “Restoring stolen athletic accolades to their rightful owners is a crucial step towards reinstating accountability, integrity, and common sense,” said Gaines, referencing her 2022 competition against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the NCAA championships.
The Department’s letter follows President Trump’s recent executive order, Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, which asserts that the U.S. government will oppose transgender women’s participation in female sports as a matter of “safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.”
Additionally, the Department of Education has announced investigations into two educational institutions and one athletic association over alleged violations of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools that receive federal funding. Officials have indicated that they will encourage schools and athletic organizations to maintain “factually accurate” records and make adjustments where necessary.
The NCAA and NFHS have not yet publicly responded to the Department’s request. The ongoing debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports continues to be a contentious issue, with advocates on both sides arguing over fairness, inclusion, and the impact of policy changes on student-athletes.
