USA Powerlifting Puts Ban On Transgender Participation

Last Updated onJanuary 31, 2019

The organization made it official on the website.

The USA Powerlifting organization has made it official that transgender participation is not conducive to fair play and therefore has banned these specific individuals from competing. They even made it very clear in their policy that everyone is cut out for competition with USA Powerlifting if they deem someone unfit.

“USA Powerlifting is not a fit for every athlete and for every medical condition or situation”.

Here’s the entire policy explaining the ban on participation from transgender athletes:

“USA Powerlifting is an inclusive organization for all athletes and members who comply with its rules, policies, procedures, and bylaws. USA Powerlifting is not a fit for every athlete and for every medical condition or situation. Simply, not all powerlifters are eligible to compete in USA Powerlifting.

USA Powerlifting, as a National Affiliate of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) adopted, and follows the policies as defined by the IPF Medical Committee which impact the participation of transgender individuals in events sanctioned by USA Powerlifting.

Two areas of policy impact such participation:

The first has to do with the use of testosterone or other androgens, commonly used to assist in the transition from female to male. By virtue of the anabolic nature of these compounds, they are not allowed, nor is a Therapeutic Use Exemption granted for such use for anyone. This applies to any and all medical conditions which might be treated through use of androgens.

The second area involves the participation of male to female competitors. Through analysis the impact of maturation in the presence naturally occurring androgens as the level necessary for male development, significant advantages are had, including but not limited to increased body and muscle mass, bone density, bone structure, and connective tissue. These advantages are not eliminated by reduction of serum androgens such as testosterone yielding a potential advantage in strength sports such as powerlifting.

The IPF added acceptance of the International Olympic Committee Guidelines on inclusion of transgender individuals in competition. However, the IOC Guidelines also allows sports to determine the impact on fair play through such inclusion. The IPF Medical Committee, while respecting the rights of those who choose to transition, has been consistent in its opinion that use of testosterone and participation of male to female transgender athletes in our sport compromises fair play.

While other sports and activities, and other powerlifting organizations may choose a different interpretation of the impact on their respective competitive activities, USA Powerlifting will continue to follow the policies as defined by the IPF Medical Committee. If, or when the membership of USA Powerlifting, through the processes of governance as defined in the Constitution and Bylaws of our Federation, chooses to address these policies, their interpretation and adherence to them may change”.

Many people are outraged by these new rules but hey… they are rules and nobody is exempt from them. Especially not Jaycee Cooper who recently tried to join USA Powerlifting but was quickly rejected due to being transgender.

She’s a powerlifter from Minnesota and she is determined to convince others that transgender individuals should be able to participate in any competition. This unfortunate occurrence, however, has not discouraged Jaycee Cooper from competing in powerlifting competitions.

The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) is the parent organization of USA Powerlifting which follows the International Olympic Committee’s rules. These rules stated that each gender to gender transition could compete under certain circumstances (Hormone levels in normal ranges).

However, The USA Powerlifting organization apparently does not follow these rules and therefore we’ve arrived at the new transgender participation policy.