On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Rep. Kelly backs Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) co-sponsored the Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL). The legislation prohibits any governing body recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) from allowing men to participate in any athletic event intended for females. The bill modifies eligibility requirements for amateur sports governing organizations.
"Let's be clear: women's sports should be for women only," said Rep. Kelly. "I spent years coaching youth sports, and I know the real benefits sports can have for both boys and girls on and off the field. This legislation fights back against radical left ideology and takes the next steps to give young girls an equal opportunity to succeed."
“Congress should not have to take legislative action to prevent biological men from hitting women for championship titles. Due to the illogical USA Boxing transgender policy, I introduced legislation to prevent organizations who choose to live in delusion from being recognized by the U.S. Olympic committee,” said Rep. Steube. “We must combat the erasure of women’s sports by standing for truth, reality, safety, and fairness.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The legislation is supported by: Alliance Defending Freedom, American Principles Project, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, Heritage Action, Independent Council on Women’s Sport (ICONS), Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), International Consortium on Female Sport (ICFS), Women’s Declaration International USA, and Women’s Liberation Front.
“As an athlete who has experienced the injustice of competing against a male firsthand, I’m grateful for the leadership of Representative Steube and Senator Tuberville. They have made it clear that they will fight for fairness, privacy, and safety for girls and women in sports,” said Riley Gaines, 12x NCAA All American Swimmer and Independent Women’s Forum Ambassador.
BACKGROUND
USA Boxing updated their National Rule Book to add a Transgender definition and link to a new Transgender Policy, effective on January 1, 2024. The policy states: “a boxer who transitions from male to female is eligible to compete in the female category” with certain conditions.
Under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, Congress chartered the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and allowed the organization to recognize governing bodies for individual sports. USA Boxing has been recognized by the USOC as the official governing body for boxing. The Act sets out a variety of requirements that must be followed by these individual governing bodies in order to be certified by USOC.