U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Representative Burgess Owens (R-Utah) on Tuesday 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.
“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,” wrote the lawmakers.“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.”
Risch and Owens are joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and U.S. Representatives Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Craig Goldman (R-Texas), Mark Green (R-Tenn.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Mike Kennedy (R-Utah), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Blake Moore (R-Utah), Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), Austin Pfluger (R-Texas), John Rose (R-Tenn.), and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) in sending the letter to the IOC.
The full letter can be read here.
Senator Risch is a staunch defender of fairness in women’s sports. He has taken repeated legislative and official action to preserve fairness and safety for female athletes, including:
- A letter to the NCAA demanding it clarify a policy to better protect the privacy and safety of female athletes’ bathrooms and locker rooms;
- A series of legislation to defend and celebrate women and girls in sports;
- Introduction of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act to preserve Title IX protections for female athletes; and
- Led a letter to the Mountain West Conference and urging they ban biological males from competing in women’s sports.?
