The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) updated its transgender student-athlete policy on Thursday, barring trans women from competing in women’s sports. The move came one day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to defund schools that allow trans women to participate. Under the new policy, students assigned male at birth may practice with women’s teams but cannot compete. In contrast, all students may participate on men’s teams with a medical exemption process for testosterone use. The NCAA previously deferred to Olympic standards but cited the need for clear, uniform eligibility rules. LGBTQ+ advocates criticized the change as discriminatory and politically motivated.
