USA Fencing Board Prepares for Potential Changes from Governing Bodies on Transgender and Non-Binary Athlete Eligibility Policy

Given uncertainty around evolving guidelines and potential mandates from oversight bodies, the USA Fencing Board has prepared a revised Transgender and Non-Binary Athletes Eligibility Policy. In the event that USA Fencing is forced to change its current stance in accordance with oversight bodies or federal legislation, the new policy states athletes competing in USA Fencing-sanctioned tournaments must compete according to their biological sex. 

The policy will be implemented only if and when one or more governing bodies require these updates. 

This policy was adopted preemptively, under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, as USA Fencing is required to align its athlete eligibility policies — known as the “right to compete” — with standards set by international federations and oversight bodies, such as the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), International Olympic Committee (IOC), and International Fencing Federation (FIE), and their Paralympic equivalents. Although USA Fencing does not receive federal funding, it fully respects and adheres to applicable federal law.

USA Fencing’s current policy remains in place, and eligibility standards remain in effect until we receive guidance to implement the updated policy from oversight bodies such as the USOPC, IOC, FIE, World Para Fencing (WPF), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), or other applicable bodies.

If implemented, the new policy outlines the following:

• The Women’s Category will be open exclusively to athletes of the female sex.
• The Men’s Category will be open to all other athletes who are otherwise eligible for competition.

These eligibility standards will apply uniformly across all sanctioned competition levels, including Division I, IA, II, III, Junior, Cadet, Youth, Veteran, and all other sanctioned categories. 

Mixed-gender competitions, which historically represent a significant portion of locally sanctioned events, will remain sanctioned by USA Fencing, and eligibility for these events will continue to remain unchanged.

To be abundantly clear, USA Fencing deeply values every member of our community. If adopted, this policy is solely to ensure future compliance required by oversight organizations. This policy does not reflect any change in our strong support for each individual's right to identity. We recognize that many people — particularly transgender and non-binary athletes and their supporters in fencing clubs nationwide — will be profoundly impacted if this policy takes effect. As we continue navigating recent attention and conversations around this complex issue, we ask our community to come together with empathy and unity.

Our commitment to supporting every member of our fencing family — as athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and leaders — remains unwavering. We remain dedicated to providing compassionate support and exploring all possible avenues to ensure everyone feels welcome and valued within our community.

We encourage members who are directly affected by these developments to utilize available mental health and other support resources, To do so, please email mac.brown@usopc.org

A detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the new policy is available at this link.